BFRS Responds To 37 Hurricane Joaquin Calls

Hurricane Joaquin passed by Bermuda over the past weekend, knocking out power for some residents and creating clean-up work which was quickly attended to by the island’s various services.

The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service [BFRS] responded to a total of 37 calls throughout the island requiring assistance during that period.

This total included a variety of hurricane related incidents, such as: floodings, pole fires, a variety of medical calls, two structural fires and other minor incidents.

Fire Service spokesperson, Acting Lieutenant Jamal Albuoy said, “The Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service [BFRS] Senior Management team assembled a few days in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Joaquin. The purpose of the meeting was to design and strategize an action plan in the likely event the storm would make landfall on our shores.

“Due to the updated weather reports we consistently received and the size of the storm, a partial “recall” of personnel was sufficient. Sunday, October 4th at 10:00 am, those persons who were predetermined to be recalled arrived at our three stations: Port Royal, Hamilton and Clearwater Station.

“BFRS was well prepared in advance to respond to the usual hurricane related calls i.e. floodings, roof coverage, pole fires, etc. Since the storm system had decreased in Category from what was originally forecasted, the overall damage the island sustained was much less in comparison to the previous hurricanes [Fay and Gonzalo].

“Nonetheless, our 911 Fire Dispatch Center was prepared to receive the onslaught of anticipated emergency calls. Consequently, our Dispatch received a total of 37 calls throughout the island requiring assistance. Majority of the incidents were in the central parishes and the remainder were split between the eastern and western parishes.

“This total included a variety of hurricane related incidents, such as: floodings, pole fires, a variety of medical calls and other minor incidents. In addition, we responded to two structural fires in the western end of the island; fortunately, no one was injured.

“After the hurricane had passed, some of our Officers conducted road assessments, to ascertain the overall damage in the wake of the storm. All “recalled” personnel were released approximately mid-morning and returned to normal duties.”

#Fires #HurricaneJoaquin

Category: Accidents and fires, All, News