Aug 2004

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AUGUST MESSAGE

FIRE FIGHTING

With the recent tragedies and the horrible visuals of the consequences of fire, we need no more reminders about our total ineptitude to enforce available safety statutes, excepting where officialdom needs to harass citizens to be compliant to their demands, rather than for compliance with the law.

It has been observed that we are great Crisis Managers, and that to manage we need a crisis, as we appear incapable of being pro-active, and can only be re-active. Almost 90% of our structures are fire hazards, with inflammability built into them, poor or non-existent fire-safety systems or drills, and no designated fire escapes. More people are killed in the stampede that follows a fire alarm, because of the paucity of appropriate exits – our cinema theatres are a good example – than are by the fire itself.

In our own Masonic buildings, one has constantly to remind Brethren and Caretakers of the need to be frequently monitoring the availability and disposition of fire fighting equipment, the separation and removal of combustible material, the appropriate security of electrical installations and the myriad other considerations of protecting ourselves from the devastation that a fire can cause. Equally even in domestic kitchens the proximity of spare gas cylinders to exposed fire and heat, the lack of easily accessible fire extinguishers, and alarm systems, is noticeable. No one bothers until it is too late and the blame-game then starts, and regrettably does not result in any amelioration of the situation – the tragedies are soon forgotten, particularly if they are at arms length, and the same deficiencies in fire security remain, unattended.

As we are to meet shortly in Thanjavur in the neighbourhood of the recent school fire tragedy, one can’t help but remember those poor little children who paid the price of adult negligence and irresponsibility – May their tiny Souls rest in peace, the injured ones recover, and the more mature ones responsible, repent at leisure!