HSA staff train as fire marshals
(L-R) Instructor David (Jayse) Wilson presents badge and certificate to fire marshal Deighton Parker
(CNS Local Life): The Health Services Authority (HSA) has presented certificates to 44 staff members who completed training as fire marshals – a new role that has emerged from an effort to improve fire safety and awareness within the organisation. The main focus of the fire marshal training programme, which started 22 August and is offered by the HSA, is to have well-trained people in the right place at the right time, according to an authority press release.
“In previous years when we had a smaller staff complement, the Cayman Islands fire department provided training for our staff; however, as the HSA has continued to grow we recognised that we needed to bring this training in house,” director of corporate services Andria Dilbert said.
Last year Occupational Health and Safety officer Debra Gaffigan and paramedic David (Jayse) Wilson, sponsored by the HSA, completed training in London and are now facilitators of two accredited courses the authority offers– the basic fire safety and the fire marshal classes. Between the two instructors, almost 500 staff members have completed the basic fire safety course, which is a prerequisite for fire marshal training.
“Providing fire training in house has proved very beneficial; a couple of benefits being the ability to have more flexibility in scheduling the sessions which is essential in a 24-hour organisation such as ours and the opportunity to incorporate our fire plan into the sessions, so that individually we remain aware of fire prevention in our working environments,” said Dilbert.
HSA employees training to evacuate patients
Fire inspector Brevon Elliott endorsed the programme at the certificate-presentation ceremony, held 28 November. Elliott, who has worked closely with the HSA, said the programme makes his and his colleagues’ jobs at the fire department easier and the hospital safer.
Addressing the marshals, he said, “We are glad to see that the hospital has taken it upon themselves to roll out a system in house that will not only educate you but give you the tools to be aware and knowledgeable of how to evacuate the hospital in the event of an emergency, specifically a fire emergency.”
The fire marshal’s role is twofold; it is proactive and reactive. The proactive role involves daily and monthly fire safety assessments of the working environment and report of these findings to the health and safety office. Fire risk assessment includes checking emergency lighting, strobe lights, fire extinguishers, fire pulls and fire doors to ensure that all are functioning properly. This constant widespread monitoring reduces the risk of fire throughout the organisation.
In their reactive role the fire marshal is expected to take charge in a fire situation, perform a sweep of the premises to ensure that all occupants are evacuated and complete the headcount at the assembly point. Marshals are also taught the importance of containing a fire by ensuring windows and doors are closed during an evacuation.
Gaffigan said the fire risk assessments provide valuable and timely information. “The HSA fire plan has been strengthened, thanks to our dedicated staff who have embraced and committed to this programme. There is a limit to what a health and safety officer can do and it is impossible for one person to capture all the safety issues in a large organisation.
Having capable and dedicated people as fire marshals gives me peace of mind in knowing that even though I cannot be everywhere I have others that can be. Before this programme I only had one set of eyes and ears, I now have 45. Thanks to their efforts, the HSA is a safer place for our employees, patients and visitors.”
Category: Fire Service
