Delayed reporting of fires is having dire consequences, resulting in both loss of life and increased property damage. Aliki Bia, a member of the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, raised alarms about individuals who seem to prioritize sharing fire incidents on social media rather than promptly notifying the National Fire Authority (NFA). This trend can critically delay emergency response times.
Bia emphasized that firefighters are often unjustly blamed for their late arrivals at fire scenes, despite the inherent dangers they face while responding to emergencies. She remarked, “I’ve seen that a lot of people tend to put it up on their social media first, rather than calling NFA,” indicating a concerning pattern where reporting on social platforms takes precedence over the crucial immediate action of calling for help.
Joel Israel, the Acting CEO of NFA, highlighted a tragic incident in Nakasi, where firefighters learned about a significant blaze via social media a full ten minutes before a call for assistance was made. “We attended, we did what we wanted to do, we managed to douse the flames, but unfortunately, we lost two lives,” he stated. This raises urgent questions about public awareness and education regarding fire safety and response protocols. Israel insisted that if the public was better informed, the first reaction upon seeing a fire would be to call 910.
The NFA cautions that even a brief delay of just two minutes can greatly diminish the chances of survival in fire emergencies. Additionally, the authority warns of rising dangers due to unlawful building extensions and the increasing use of homes for storage, which elevate fire risks and endanger both the public and firefighters.
It is critical that community members understand the importance of immediate action in emergencies. Increasing awareness and encouraging individuals to prioritize direct emergency communication could save lives and alleviate pressure on emergency responders.
Leave a comment