Over the three-week period ending August 20, Barbadian firefighters will interview residents in the suburb, 1st?? Avenue, New Orleans in a fire prevention campaign targeted directly at residents of?? Bridgetown and its environs.

This community risk assessment survey of households in and around the city is the forerunner to the Fighting Fire with Fire Protection Programme. It is tailored to reduce residential house fires and improve life safety conditions.

Members of the Barbados Fire Service Fire Prevention and Community Relations Unit are calling on households daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We are collecting data about fire and other hazards, which may exist in these communities, for implementing a strategy to reduce the level of risk, improve life safety and furnish residents with knowledge, tools and equipment," said acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox. "They could then respond appropriately to certain incidents while in the initial stages, consequently limiting the chances of outright or total loss in some instances."

The Fire Service and the Rotary Club of Barbados West joined together to create the Fighting Fire with Fire Protection Programme that will be rolled out during International Fire Prevention Week October 3-9.

This approach is intended to:

  • install and maintain fire safety systems to protect people and property from fire;
  • reduce fire risk thereby creating a fire safe community;
  • create goodwill and better customer service within urban communities;
  • ensure that appropriate training and information is provided on fire safety to the community;
  • contribute to community development, and,
  • provide conditions for insurability through risk reduction.

"The Barbados Fire Service continues to be challenged with a high incidence of calls to structural fires, which mark up a significant level of loss from fire damage to both residential and commercial properties," said Mr. Cox.

"In this context," he added, "the Service will be using this year’s theme Beep! Beep! Beep! Smoke Alarm: A Sound You Can Live With to guide the focus for this programme. Its ultimate success, however, is dependent on the cooperation of the residents." tadams@barbados.gov.bb

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