THE EDITOR, Sir:HAVING WITNESSED media reports of a massive fire that took place at the King's Plaza recently and reports of estimated damage to the tune of $70 million, I feel compelled to offer some suggestions.
In light of the tardiness and other problems associated with the fire service, it is high time property owners invest in their own fire prevention systems, i.e, tanks, pumps, fire extinguishers, sprinkler system, etc. They could even go a bit further and identify and maintain fire hydrants located in close proximity to their establishments.
Interest groups like the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, insurance companies and the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association need to seriously lobby the government to not only equip the fire service properly but to more stringently enforce building standards and practices particularly where additions are done to old buildings and allowances are not made for fire escapes.
A new stipulation should be that all plazas, small hotels etc. should have a working water storage tank. Insurance companies can play a greater role by giving premium discounts to property owners who do so.
In relation to inner-city areas with numerous old tenement yards and unplanned squatter communities, these residents need to be the beneficiaries of a massive public education campaign by the government and private sector in partnership as the related hardships of fires in such areas affect everyone.
A simple solution is to provide every family in these areas with two empty 45 gallon drums for storing water in case of an
outbreak of a fire.
I am, etc.,
DUDLEY I.H. McFARLANE
P.O. Box 129
Kingston 20
