Simulation tests fire-fighting capabilities downtown
If you tried to drive anywhere near downtown during lunch hour today, you discovered that traffic was even more congested than usual. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods explains why.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
A steady stream of smoke was slowly rising out of the second floor of the three storey concrete building at the corner of Queen Street and Barrack Road. A fire had started inside the structure and six people were trapped on the building’s roof.
(Woman screaming on rooftop)
The harrowing screams certainly drew a crowd of concerned and somewhat confused spectators who were not really sure if what they were witnessing was real.
As the woman desperately cried for help, some people shouted jump, jump. However, she had good reasons not to move. The entire episode was only a simulation exercise conducted by the National Fire Service, the police, Belize Emergency Response Team, and Belize Electricity Limited.
Ted Smith, Assistant Fire Chief
“This exercise was to test the operational readiness of the Fire Department in dealing with a rescuing from a high rise building, as well as rescuing from within the fire area. It was also catered so BERT can assess themselves in the treatment of fire victims that had burns and smoke inhalation. The K.H.M.H. is also involved in this exercise, the A and E section in them dealing with these kind of casualties and activating their plan to deal with these kind of casualties.”
Although the fire was brought under control, the victims rescued, and the injured ambulanced to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, if the event was real, it’s quite possible that I would be reporting a tragedy.
For example, the first ladder rescue failed after fire fighters could not reach the victims. A delay was further created after attempts to use a mini ladder to get the victims from off the roof into the truck’s bucket did not work. Fire officials had no choice but to order the ladder be lowered. However, on the second attempt, it was correctly positioned and the fire fighters safely brought down the victims.
Ted Smith
“I wasn’t quite satisfied with the performance. We had a little difficulty as you’ve seen. We will go back to the drawing board now, look at it and see how we can strengthen these areas. There were some very good performance on different areas, and there were some weak in other areas. We’re not quite satisfied with their performance.”
But how terrifying was the experience for those who played the victims? Although all are employees of the National Fire Service, Neomi Lucas got a sobering taste of what a real disaster would be like.
Neomi Lucas, Secretary, Fire Chief
“Well I think it would be terrible because that building is extremely high. So looking down everything’s far away, everything is smaller. And I was yelling like crazy, so now I’m hoarse, so I think it would be really, really terrifying. Once spell I was saying that I would jump and I was thinking that in the twin towers, the World Trade Centre, those people actually jumped.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Because you know people on the ground were advising you to jump, what’s your best advice to persons who may in the future be faced with a similar situation. Should they jump, what should they do?”
Neomi Lucas
“I definitely don’t think they should jump. Jump is certain death. This is only a simulation exercise, but I’m hoping that if it were real, my department-because I am also a member of the fire department-they would act a bit quicker. And I guess that’s the purpose of these simulations, so they know what could happen.”
The National Fire Service considers December as a high-risk season and advises the public to be careful.
Ted Smith
“People tend to consume more alcohol, people tend to use their stove for cooking, people tend to use electricity more, the risk in general increases and as a result fire increases. So we want to encourage everyone to take extra precaution to ensure that the electrical system is safe and their stove is ready for the excessive amount of burden that will be placed on it. Be very careful in the consumption of alcohol when at home. If you’re a smoker, ensure that the cigarette is properly out.”
Since the beginning of December, the Fire Service has responded to four fires in Belize City. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
