Latest update December 16th, 2024 9:00 AM
Fire Department in countrywide inspection of schools dorms, hostels
Kaieteur News – In wake of the devastating fire at Mahdia that killed 20 children and causing injuries to several others, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said it has embarked on a comprehensive inspection campaign targeting school dormitories and hostels countrywide.
Public Relations Officer of the GFS, Silyne Griffith told the Department of Public Information (DPI) Wednesday that the dorms and hostels are also equipped with the necessary fire safety equipment. However, this was not the case at Mahdia where it was found that there were no fire extinguishers and the facility was heavily-grilled.
According to the DPI to date, inspections were conducted at locations including the University of Guyana, President’s College, Dennis Irvine Hall of Residence, as well as the Mahaicony, Paramakatoi and Anna Regina dormitories, Essequibo Technical Institute, Aurora Secondary, Charity Secondary, Three Miles Secondary, and the Bartica Secondary School dormitories.
The aftermath of the fire at the female dormitory at the Mahdia Secondary School
Hostels including the Supenaam, Suddie, Anna Regina, and Charity hostels were also examined. Similar exercises will be conducted at other facilities to ensure they have fire prevention equipment. The GFS has also conducted several outreaches at various markets to educate persons on fire safety and prevention. Several outreaches were conducted at the Kitty, Mahaica, and Mon Repos Markets to date.
On Saturday last, over 500 Mon Repos residents benefitted from this public awareness programme. In addition, 136 individuals received free blood pressure and blood sugar testing, that was administered by the service’s Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTS) on the ground at the Mon Repos market. Persons also had the opportunity to interact with senior officers including Chief Fire Officer (ag), Gregory Wickham to learn about fire safety. “The Guyana Fire Service will continue to conduct outreaches at markets as we strive to reach as many citizens as possible, both young and old, and educate everyone about the dangers of fires, thus preventing them from happening,” the GFS said. Following the Mahdia fire school boys allegedly burned down the St. Angela Girls’ Hostel located in Karasabai Village, Region Nine.
The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) in a statement recently urged everyone to support and advocate for dormitories with proper infrastructure and safety procedures for children seeking education. The council said, “numerous concerns have been made regarding the dormitories, including the availability of healthy and sufficient food, access to fresh and clean water, electricity, security, proper utilities and furniture, layout and design of the buildings, and overall living arrangement of the students.”
They also called for a thorough investigation of all dormitories and for prompt remedial actions are taken to improve the situation.
The council recommended the following:
1) The occupational, health and safety standards be vastly improved with emergency plans and equipment be in place.
2) Replace all steel grills with less hazardous construction materials.
3) Improve sleeping conditions for students.
4) For every dormitory, a welfare officer be stationed to provide the necessary support to the students.
5) Increase the number of caretakers at the dorms and carry out training so that they can adequately carry out their duties.
6) Appropriate and adequate food supply for students.
7) An enhanced team be established to monitor the dormitories across the hinterland.
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