Our cities under fire threat

Editorial

A POTENTIAL disaster is likely if priority is not given to the recovery and restoration of fire hydrants in our cities and towns.
Port Moresby plays host to Apec in November and as hosts, we are responsible for the safety of our guests who will be using some of these buildings and facilities in the cities and towns.
The National has been highlighting this issue with information from the PNG Service for over a year and a visit back to the list remains unchecked.
In other countries, the fire service is given high priority because of the important duty it plays in saving lives and properties.
It is provided the most modern facilities which are progressively upgraded to suit the needs of property owners and those who occupy the properties.
Not in PNG. One cannot be blamed for assuming that we place little value on life and property.
A car dealership in Port Moresby lost six vehicles in a fire on Monday afternoon because firefighters were not able to contain the blaze due to the absence of fire hydrants along Waigani Drive. Again yesterday, five houses were razed at 5-Mile in Port Moresby.
Boroko Fire Station commander superintendent John Ape believes some houses could have been saved had there been fire hydrants to help refill the fire trucks.
The absence of hydrants near a fire is becoming a challenge or an obstruction to firefighters’ efforts to contain a fire.
The lack of fire hydrants along the main roads in towns and cities makes firefighting jobs more difficult.
Firefighters need water to put out a fire.
In Port Moresby, the traffic congestion and the limited vehicles they have does not help with what they are supposed to do.
It seems that the authorities in charge of allocating public funds to essential services think there is very little chance of a major fire happening in one of the high-rise buildings in the middle of our towns and cities.
For how else can one explain the lack of attention given by authorities to this very important public and essential service?
Most of what is left has been neglected for at least 40 years.
The lack of investment in fire safety is already costing the country and its people.
And sadly, nothing has been done about it.
If it has, the fire service is yet to be told about it.
There is also the matter of bush fires threatening lives and properties near densely populated areas which firefighters sometimes are often called to attend to.
Awareness programmes on fire hazards need to be supported by all concerned authorities.
Ape has called on community leaders in settlements and other parts of the city to seek fire awareness assistance from them to prevent future fires.
During strong winds, the public should be aware of the increased danger of bush fires.
To avoid any embarrassing situations, the needs of the Fire Service have to be met.
We need to provide the equipment and resources, testing them to see that they are working, and giving the firefighters the appropriate training to use the new equipment.
It always makes sense to take preventative measures before disaster strikes.
That’s when the finger-pointing begins.