The Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service is on a mission to ensure that various safety systems and precautions are in place in business places, and homes, as part of its mandate.
Two well-known members of the service, Mr. Omari Bourne, and Mr. Romaro Richardson, are undertaking the work. “Our purpose is to carry out a fire risk assessment to generate a report with our findings and recommendations,” Mr. Bourne explained on Tuesday, February 18, during an inspection visit at The Anguillian newspaper’s offices. “We are checking buildings to see what existing fire safety equipment they have, and will make recommendations with regard to additional equipment that may be needed or to correct, to some extent, what is there. This is because not every fire extinguisher will work depending on the working environment. There are specific types of extinguishers for different classes of fires, and materials, so our recommendations will be detailed and professional from the standpoint of the Fire Department. The recommendations will highlight what will be needed in the event of a fire.”
The senior Fire Officer continued: “For example, for early detection we will recommend smoke detectors; different types of fire extinguishers where necessary. We can recommend a wet chemical extinguisher as well as a fire blanket. When we get to the larger properties like hotels and so forth, we will check for things like hydrants, sprinkler systems etc.
“When we prepare our report, we will provide a timeline to comply – but we do not want to be forceful. It is an existing regulation, in force since 2013, but is being put into action as from the past three months or so. We are actually now rolling it out. We are a young Fire Department and are trying to build – and to make Anguilla a safer place with regard to fire safety.
“At the end of the inspection we will be issuing a Fire Certificate of Compliance for three years. That is basically it in a nutshell. Persons will see us out in the public. So far, in the New Year, we have inspected about 80 premises both private and public. We have already issued a number of Fire Compliance Certificates. As we continue our fire risk assessments, and recommendations, we are generally surprised that the general public is taking this on very seriously in terms of adhering to recommendations. They are getting the necessary fire safety equipment. We are actually getting calls from the larger properties, especially in the hospitality sector. Persons are reaching out to us. Many of them are up to par.”
Mr. Bourne disclosed that, for the rest of the year, the Fire Department will be working closely with the Inland Revenue Department. He added: “Hopefully, we expect to have our work tied in with business licences next year – and that, on the renewal of such licences, we will have everyone in good standing with Certificates of Compliance.”
He offered thanks to the Comptroller of Inland Revenue, Mr. Kiel Connor, and the Deputy Comptroller, Ms. Tameika Fleming, who had been very helpful with the work of the Fire and Rescue Department.
