THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPLEMENTING FIRE SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
(From Mr. Clinton Urling, Chairman of the Guyana Fire Advisory Board)
OVER the years, the Fire Department has been inspecting both Government and Private buildings countrywide in an effort to attain a high standard of Fire Safety.

Unfortunately, upon visiting some private business places, it was quite evident that Management showed little or no concern for Fire Safety on these premises. Some don’t consider it a priority because it is not an aspect of the business which would yield a profit; and they seem to be functioning effectively without it any way.

On the other hand, some think it is too costly. What if a fire occurs resulting in the loss of valuable property, important records, much needed employment and even precious lives?

That’s when all the bright ideas come to the surface -- when it is too late.

Despite whatever opinions are formed, complying with Fire Safety instructions assists greatly in the protection of life and/or property from destruction by fire.

Very often during Fire Prevention inspections, escape routes are found to be blocked with a number of unserviceable articles and furniture.

In some cases, main exit doors are padlocked and the keys for these locks are not immediately available, causing much time to elapse before the doors can be opened.

These conditions can impede the evacuation process and consequently the safety of lives during an emergency.

If it is necessary, for security reasons, that exits to be padlocked, then some special arrangements must be made for them to be opened speedily in time of need; i.e. the keys should be placed in glass-front boxes on the walls near the respective doors (locks) and the words “BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY” must be clearly indicated on the boxes.

Despite numerous inspections and helpful advices on the need for Fire Equipment, where to site them and how they should be used, fire buckets are frequently being used for cleaning purposes and extinguishers as bracers to keep doors open.

Remember that these items or equipment are installed on the premises to deal with an outbreak of fire and must be readily available for fire fighting purposes only.

It is quite understandable that the main object of any business organization is to run it successfully and generate as much profit as possible, but at the same time, much thought must be put into ensuring the safety of the workers and members of the public is not overlooked.

Further, an investment in Fire Equipment is one sure way of protecting what you might have dedicated years of hard work to achieve.

There are some who run away with the idea that fire equipment on the premises is for use by the Fire Department only.

Be advised that these equipment are placed there especially for use by occupants of the premises in event of a fire.

It is important that the fire safety recommendations of the Fire department be implemented. This will minimize the risk of your premises being a victim of a destructive fire.

Whispering Mabel
MABEL is reprinting an e-mail dispatched to CNN’s Lou Dobbs, a copy having reached Mabel through an intermediary:

“The facile acceptance by the U.S. press of everything that Hilary Clinton claims that she knew about the governance of America during the two terms of office by her husband is simply amazing. She is therefore credited with having experience of being a President, One must also assume that she was privy to the shenanigan Lewinsky affair and obviously approved of same. What sort of President will you Americans have in your proud and honoured White House, a confirmed liar (Bosnia) and voyeur? Oh she exposed her crass ignorance on international affairs by threatening to obliterate some named country on behalf of Israel.”

There are just two many unlicensed firearms readily available to anyone, including youths abroad in the society. A well-publicised scheme should be promoted in which the government will allocate land in exchange for surrendering guns; assistance will also be available to help in the occupation and involvement in agricultural production. Just a thought that was passed on to Mabel.

Better sense must have prevailed after the dismal failure to mount massive demonstrations to support the brainless appeal by opposition leader, Robert Corbin, for the rescinding of the four-month suspension of TV station six.

The senseless threat to boycott the tenth CARIFESTA celebrations scheduled for August this year came out as a damp squib, further embarrassing the hapless opposition leader.

Did it not occur to Corbin before he stupidly called for the boycotting of CARIFESTA how fervently his founder leader, Burnham, had promoted and actually single-handedly created the original CARIFESTA right here in Guyana? What disrespect! A crying shame says Mabel.

Well Minister Rohee has said it himself. He is displeased with the conditions prevailing at most police stations. Mabel can only urge that emergency action is badly needed.

Will all those many bona fide African professionals who enjoyed to the hilt all the prominent positions of influence and at the same time profited from the largesse that was dispensed by the founder leader, some of whom have the presumption to write about the absurd claim that African marginalisation is taking place in present day Guyana, please identify in specific terms and irrefutable instances of the marginalisation they so glibly are wont to write?