By: Barclay Karnley
MONROVIA: In a move to tackle fire incidents in Liberia, especially during the dry season, the Liberia National Fire Service, in collaboration with Orange GSM Liberia, has officially launched its Fire Safety Prevention Awareness for Schools, Workplaces, Hospitals, Markets and Communities in Montserrado County and its environs.
It can be recalled the Liberia National Fire Service through its Director General, Col. Warsuwah Barvoul Sr., report at least 49 fire incidents from January to March of this year in Montserrado County and its surroundings.
The Fire Service report also disclosed that the high frequency of fire incidents within a short period underscores the importance of heightened awareness and preparedness among the public on its prevention.
The report also disclosed that the fire incidents led to the death of at least eleven persons (11) and two (2) injuries.
He stressed that the LNFS classified twelve (12) of the fire incidents as classes “A”, “B”, and “C.”
The launch of the Fire awareness and prevention which was held at the B. W. Harris on Broad Street, Central Monrovia, brought together hundreds of students, instructors, parents, guardians and hierarchy of the Liberia National Fire Service in the School’s auditorium.
Addressing the audience at the official launch of the awareness during the weekend, the Liberia National Fire Service Director General, Col. Warsuwah Barvoul, stated that the awareness in various Schools will help enlighten students on the dangers and prevention of fire in their respective homes and places of work.
According to the Fire Service Director General, children in various homes and places of work are the end users of electrical appliances that at times result to fire incidents.
Col. Warsuwah Barvoul further disclosed that the fire safety prevention awareness will be carried out in the seventeen (17) electoral districts of Monsterrado and other parts of the County to avoid heightened cases in fire outbreaks and the continue incidents of fire disasters across the Country.
He further urged students to ensure that they apply lesson learned from the awareness in their various homes to avoid fire incidents as they are the ones who are greatly affected by the disasters.
Col. Barvoul however disclosed that students will be taught on the use of fire extinguisher, fire and smoke detector, use of various appliances at homes during the awareness period.
The Fire Service Boss at the same time noted that the awareness will also educate marketers and other citizens on the type of durable appliances to purchase for their various homes including wires, sockets, receptacle among others to secure their homes.
Many students of the B.W. Harris who attended the official launching ceremony lauded the Liberia National Fire Service for the initiative at their institution, promising to practicalize it in their respective homes, knowledge acquired during the launch.
Some of the students however maintained that they will encourage and prevail on their parents and guardians at home to purchase fire extinguishers and smoke detectors to be at their homes to ensure that they remain safe in an event of fire incident.
