Proper training and common sense could prevent fires

Mar 22, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
The saying that, when there is a drizzle one should prepare for rain is true in the cases of recent fires. When several small fires take place, people should prepare for a conflagration — a huge fire. However, most of these fires could have been avoided with adherence to the safety code, if there is one, a little training and some commonsense.
The recent fire at the Kingston Power Plant occurred as a result of improper training, carelessness and a lack of commonsense.
One has to be incompetent or a total misfit or rather silly to conduct welding next to inflammable materials in an enclosed environment. In this particular case, next to fuel storage tanks containing thousands of gallons of Bunker C fuel. This is not only unsafe and hazardous but it is very dangerous and was an accident waiting to happen. Bunker C fuel is a residual tar-like fuel, very thick and slow to evaporate; only 5-10 % will actually dissipate into the air in an hour causing it to roll and spread.
If it is true that there were no safety measures or guidelines installed in the building or the personnel were not trained, then the authorities ought to be blamed and disciplinary measures should be taken against those in charge of the facilities. This is disturbing and careless to say the least. One has to look at some of the captions of this newspaper over the past years to understand and recognise the dangers, include the loss of lives caused by fires and ensure that every effort be made to prevent them in future.
• Major catastrophe averted after fire breaks out at GPL Power Station — March 20, 2018.
• 12 lives lost in fires so far this year — October 8, 2013
• Illegal connection caused Bagotstown blaze – December 29, 2010
• Fuel leak sparks fire at GPL Sophia Station – July 26, 2009
• GPL oil spill costs millions — April 15, 2009
• Fires account for nine deaths so far this year — October 06, 2009
Some of these are statements from the Fire Chief, but the question is, what his department has done so far to correct the mistakes? However, in the case of the recent fire at Kingston, the Fire Department must be commended for doing a great job to contain the fire quickly. And it must be stated that periodic drills at the Fire Department and its quick response, prevented the fire from spreading. This is a true testimony of the efforts of the Fire Department to limit the spread of fires from one building to the next. Kudos to the Fire Chief and his staff!
While these are welcome tributes to the Fire Department, much more has to be done to prevent such fires. A few months ago, I indicated that Guyana has poor building codes and virtually no enforcement procedures. Guyana has an Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA); therefore, it is time for those in authority to make sure that all safety standards are enforced and the public must be fully apprised in this area in order to prevent the loss of more property and lives by fire.
Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
Licensed Real Estate Broker and Building Specialist (New York)

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