THE EDITOR, Sir:
HAVING RECENTLY suffered the loss of 22 years of work from fire in St. Elizabeth, my condolences to property owners in Jack's Hill. The Fire Brigade in Santa Cruz was responsive in our case, and made what efforts they could to save our property.
What hurt most was the fact that we had a full tank of water, but the Fire Brigade had no means of replenishing their fire truck's tank with our water. A pump powered by the fire truck's motor would have solved the problem. How about a monetary prize to the engineer who can design that?
Our fire was started by a neighbour's fire carelessly set on a dry and windy day. Isn't it time to set restrictions on open burning, requiring a permit to burn and the notification of neighbours? How about charging a refundable deposit for the permit and proof of a water source in case of the fire's escape? Offer the rental of a wheeled drum for water and a hose to stand by while the fire is under way in agricultural areas. Fines for burning without a permit can help support the fire department. Rental of chipper/shredder machines would reduce the need for agricultural burning, and provide humus for soil conservation.
Fire not only destroys buildings. It is another form of praedial larceny, robbing the environment of trees and orchards that take generations if ever to regenerate. Isn't this an issue worthy of help from the Ministries of Agriculture and Local Government?
I am, etc.,
HEIDI REIDELL
msrc11@hotmail.com
Malvern P.O.
St. Elizabeth
Via Go-Jamaica
