REPORTED FIRE INCIDENCES DROP BY 33 PERCENT IN ST. KITTS AND NEVIS

Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 05, 2021 (SKNIS): According to St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, the statistics show that incidences of fire are on the decline.

In an address on Tuesday (May 04, 2021) to mark International Firefighters’ Day, Acting Chief Fire Officer, Garfield Hodge, said that 695 fires were recorded in 2019, which compared favourably to 643 fires reported in 2020. The decline represents a 33.4 percent reduction.

“This significant reduction can be attributed to the effective operation of my department’s Fire Prevention Unit,” Mr. Hodge stated. “I wish to commend my hard-working, committed, and dedicated officers for their commitment to the cause of service relative to fire prevention and fire extinguishment.”

The Fire Prevention Unit is headed by Fire Sub-Station Officer, Timothy Martin. The Unit is responsible for public education initiatives on fire safety and prevention. Ongoing activities include public service announcements, practical demonstrations on how to use a fire extinguisher, and interactive information sessions. The annual Fire Safety Programme, which caters to children under the ages of 12 years, is also organized by the Unit.

“Studies have shown that 70 percent of residential fires are started by children of this age range. Locally, statistics have indicated that there has been a significant reduction in this respect since the inception of this programme over 20 years ago,” Mr. Hodge added.

The Acting Fire Chief pledged that the men and women under his command will continue to live up to their motto “to protect and safeguard the life and property of citizens and residents and the general economy by preventing or reducing the dangers and effects of fires and explosions.”
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