Do we need to lose lives before we fix the fire hydrants in PoS?

THE EDITOR: Again, I revert to my mantra, repeated numerous times, that TT never does anything with foresight or appropriate planning. It seems that more could have been done to prevent or mitigate the affects of the fire in PoS on Saturday that seems to have destroyed a near city block and has left hundreds of people on the breadline, not to count the millions of dollars in losses as far as structures and inventory. As in all things, there will be lots of ole talk and gossip as to what could have or should have been done about or around this fire. But from all indications, the fire could have been less destructive had the fire service personnel had better and more serviceable equipment and access to water (some hydrants were dry) to fight the fire.

After a major fire in the city a few years ago, there was much “ole talk” then about upgrading the water lines, salt water pumps and fire hydrants which are ages old (over 50 years) and like all things, with time, need to be replaced, especially if they are not properly maintained over the years. It is apparent that since then (that fire), nothing substantive has been done to “fix” the problem. Now we have this latest fire with the same or even more problems with water and fire fighting equipment been inadequate/defective. With dueling excuses coming from the Fire Service and WASA as to whom is to be blamed for the water woes, we have these agencies pointing accusatory fingers at each other. What a shame? It should be embarrassing to the Government to have this happen again and again, and yet it does nothing but talk.

As the saying goes, “ole talk is cheap.” Will it take the loss of lives from one of these fires for them to finally “kick themselves in the posterior” to do what they know they should have done long ago? Will it take a fire in the multistory Nicholas Building or in the Eric Williams Financial Towers, with the loss of lots of lives, before they take action or for us to get mad enough to demand that they take the necessary action? Our memories are so short and our political allegiance so blinded that we will accept anything that is “dished out” to us and do nothing to call for, or, in fact, demand from our leaders that they fix these problems, now; not later, but now. They need to “put their money where their mouth is” and put the necessary resources in place to upgrade the city’s aged water hydrant and water pumping system before something worse (deaths) happens.

There also needs to be a bottom up investigation into the fire fighting equipment in each fire station across the country, to determine their serviceability and adequacy to do the job. A programme to upgrade this equipment should be instituted on a priority basis, with new equipment going to the stations with the most dire need; not be political favouritism. There also needs to be an on-going training programme to train personnel on how to properly maintain this equipment when it is bought. Otherwise, we will be right back where we are in a few years, even with new equipment.

It is time to stop all the excuses, finger pointing and political rhetoric on both sides of the aisle over an issue that involves people’s lives; not just their livelihoods. We cannot afford to do nothing, and just wait for something really tragic to happen before we spring into action. Human life is too precious to expect anything less than immediate action. The people deserve it and should demand it. If we are truly serious about Vision 20/20, let’s start by fixing little problems that we confront in our daily lives. The lack of water or low water pressure in PoS is definitely one of them and it can be fixed with the right political and financial will. So, come on Government, just do it!

KELVIN C JAMES SNR
via e-mail