AT APPROXIMATELY 10:10 yesterday morning, students and staff of the Bay Primary School had to evacuate the premises because of “a fire” which started in the school’s computer lab – but it was all a mock-up exercise.
Four hundred and thirteen students and more than 35 staff members quickly, but in an orderly manner, scurried off the school’s compound and onto the neighbouring playing field after hearing ten short rings of the bell.
Within minutes, one fire tender from the Barbados Fire Service’s headquarters, Probyn Street, responded, “quickly put out the blaze” and “rescued” two students. Scores of emergency personnel were also on location, including members
of the Royal Barbados Police Force, members of the Department of Emergency Management, the District Emergency Office, Girl Guides’ Association and the Ministry of Education. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart was also present.
After interacting with some of the students, Prime Minister Stuart told the SATURDAY SUN he was pleased with the operation and noted that it was important to carry out such simulation exercises when children were young so that they would know how to handle a situation with a real fire. (MM)
