Monday, March 27, 2006
How to put out a fire
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Members of the St John Rescue Corps "rescuing" a person from a fall. |
People were yesterday shown how to extinguish different types of domestic fire during an open weekend organised by the St John Rescue Corps at its headquarters in Fort Madalena in Madliena.
Fire from a gas cylinder was extinguished in a jiffy with the quick movements of a trained person equipped with a fire extinguisher.
A fire blanket was used to put out a fire in a chip pan, something that could happen in every household.
Brigade commissioner Reuben Lanfranco pointed out that a fire extinguisher and fire blanket were things that should be found in every home. The fire rescue presentation was given by members of the firm Fire and Security Engineering. In a separate operation an injured person was recovered from a ditch.
The weekend-long series of activities was held on the occasion of National Youth Day, which was marked last Tuesday.
Capt. Lanfranco said the corps, which is made up of around 100 volunteers, was there to provide a back-up force for the authorities in case of a national emergency.
"We have to be prepared, but on the other hand hope that our training is never needed," he said.
He said the corps has a chain-call system to be used in emergencies although in most cases the mobile phone network would be overloaded and they would not be able to get through.
"Our policy is that if our members know that there is a national emergency but the phone lines are blocked, they should report at headquarters," he said.
Training, he continued, helped form young people's character.
"It gives them a challenge, and is especially beneficial for those who lack self-confidence."
He stressed the importance of not treating the challenges as a game, but giving them the importance and attention they deserve.