It’s the dry season and at the city dump that usually means it is also fire season. It is hard to forget last year’s fire which enveloped the city and became a National Emergency – requiring the intervention of NEMO. And so this year the City Council is being proactive before it gets out of hand. We found out how.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Last year’s fire at the city dump burnt for more than a month.
Robert McKoy aka Mandingo, Scavenger
“Bwoy that was a misery because many a time me left hungry and mi had to pray to Almighty God to please throw some water to mi heart. It took me outta dinner many times, I get maaga but I stay healthy thanks to Jah Jah.”
And that is why this year the City Council is being proactive.
Phillip Willoughby, Deputy Mayor
“History has shown every year in the past that we’ve had smouldering fires and so forth here so it is how best we mitigate that.
Belize Waste Control Limited will be hauling material of which is free for city and the material will be donated by Belize Aggregates Limited and we
will be doing some remedial work along with the City Council equipment and other equipment. The step from the Fire Service is to step up the ante in terms of training City Council employees from the sanitation department. We just spoke with the employees from the dump site what to do in the event of a fire, how do we deal with it.”
Ted Smith, Deputy Fire Chief
“We are looking at reducing the likelihood of a fire occurring within the dump, that is what we are doing here. We are trying to reduce ignition sources. We had a meeting here with the occupiers, the salvagers within the dump, and we are trying to get them on board not to use naked flames and not to use cigarettes, or use lighters within the zone. We have designated a site outside the dump where they can do these things."
Phillip Willoughby,
“Also the water truck will play a significant role in complementing the water truck as a source of water and several others and the technical side will be guided by the engineer from the Solid Waste Management Authority.”
The Fire Department is on board and according to Deputy Mayor Phillip Willoughby so too are the salvagers.
Phillip Willoughby,
“If the dump should catch on fire, this is their way of living. This dump employs them. If there is any fire here or any operation that will be conducted as a result of any smouldering fire, they won’t have their livelihood to depend on so they have given us that assurance that are willing to cooperate and to work with the agencies.”
Last year’s fire was put out when a dredge was brought in which pumped 200,000 gallons of water per hour into the dump.
