The Valley, Anguilla April 28th, 2017 — Day Care Centers and Pre-school facilities on Anguilla have been presented with Safety equipment thanks to the generosity of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Anguilla, ABC Supplies and several other sponsors.
The equipment – fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and First-Aid kits – were recently handed over to fourteen Day Care centers and Pre-schools.
The equipment was sourced by the Mitigation Working Group of the National Disaster Management Committee, and installed by the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Services that will also carry out regular inspection and maintenance operations.
Programme Officer Strategic Planning & Mitigation in the Department of Disaster Management, Alwyn Richardson, said unexpected or unintended injuries are the primary cause of fatalities for children from the ages of 1 to 5 years.
He said that through annual risk assessments of private and public facilities, which include Day Care Centers, and conversations with the Ministry of Social Development, the Mitigation Group observed and identified some health and safety gaps.
Richardson said the venture was pitched to CIBC FirstCaribbean which willingly agreed to provide funding, and later ABC Supplies also came on board to match CIBC First Caribbean contribution.
Training in the use of the equipment was set for May 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th at the Emergency Operations Centre.
Fire Prevention Officer, Omari Bourne, of the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service, said they welcomed the kind generosity of CIBC FirstCaribbean and ABC Supplies.
He said the Department’s role would include installing the fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, and providing fire safety training so that the contributions would be meaningfully used. The Fire Department would also provide batteries for the smoke detectors on an ongoing basis.
Mr Marlon Lake, of ABC Supplies, said the company had been working with the Department of Disaster Management for a number of years and was quite pleased to be involved in partnering with CIBC FirstCaribbean in providing the Safety Equipment. He said ABC Supplies is always willing to be a part of any initiatives that are beneficial to the island’s children.
He said ABC Supplies has also been a major sponsor in the Department of Disaster Management’s annual Safety Fair.
Director Family & Social Services in the Department of Social Development, Mrs. Daphne Hodge, also thanked CIBC FirstCaribbean and ABC Supplies for their generous contribution of safety equipment.
She said the equipment would be used wisely.
The Department of Social Development has responsibility for Day Care Centres including inspections and training.
CIBC FirstCaribbean Admin Coordinator, Davon Halley, said: “CIBC FirstCaribbean is pleased to contribute to the acquisition and installation of Safety Equipment in the Day Care Centers and Pre-schools around the island. We are happy to be partnering with the Mitigation Working Group, and the Fire and Rescue Services, to provide such valuable assistance to the Day Care Centers and Pre-schools on island”.
CIBC FirstCaribbean sponsored 14 fire extinguishers and 14 First Aid kits; and ABC Supplies 14 fire extinguishers, 14 smoke detectors, and 14 First Aid kits.
Contributions also came from DLG 3 sets; Delta Petroleum 1 set; MASA 1 set; and Sunset Homes a cash contribution.
