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Mandeville Fire station Station, 4-6, Park Crescent, Mandeville
Mandeville’s top firefighter Acting deputy Superintendent Rohan Powell has sought to allay fears that the parish’s fire station is in a poor location.
He says there are minor challenges with the station’s location, but argues that it is perfectly placed, in the centre of the town.
“Worldwide, if you should check, in every major town there must be a fire station… where ours is located, is at the best point, centrally within the confines of the commercial district and the outlying communities of residence,” he said.
Residents of Mandeville have complained about the station’s location in the past, citing its placement as problematic.
Acting Deputy Superintendent Powell admitted that exiting the station during peak hours proves challenging. He said, however that this has never caused serious problems in the past, but indicated that exiting the station can be hampered as there was no way to “warn motorists traversing along south Racecourse Road.”
In previous years, the Fire Brigade had a system in place to warn motorists when they would exit the station. “There used to be a bell and a flashing light in that area, but that has malfunctioned and never been replaced,” Mr. Powell said.
But Mr. Powell says the fire station’s location is an asset, one that allows firefighters “to be able to move from points at a quicker rate. The good thing about it is that we have access at two points out onto major thoroughfares, right into the road network.”
“The challenges that we have are not as great as it seems to be… we’re challenged for spacing at the place, we only have one minor challenge in terms of … when there’s an emergency, because of the traffic flow along that corridor then definitely when we are exiting at times, there’s a challenge, especially at peak hours” he added.
Mr. Powell believes reinstating this system would “aid significantly”, as firefighters exiting the station would be able to warn motorists that an emergency vehicle needed to be let through. “It would greatly improve that sector,” he added.
His words came at the end of Fire Safety and Awareness Week. This year’s theme was ‘Don’t burn carelessly: Uncontrolled burning brings death and destruction.’ Fire Safety and Awareness Week is celebrated annually in the last week of October.
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