FAILING GRADE FOR SIMULATION EXERCISE – ST. CATHERINE INFIRMARY
It was a total disappointment said one staff member and this was the shared view of other participants in the Parish Disaster Planning, Management and Safety projected Fire Simulation exercise.
The exercise, held on the St. Catherine Infirmary premises on Monday, May 21, was designed to test the preparedness and response of the workforce and the parish’s emergency services in the event of a real fire.
Approximately 132 residents occupy this state care facility, with 74 employees to see to their care and concerns.
At about 10:37 a.m., the calm on the Infirmary premises was interrupted by the resound of a man repetitively shouting ‘FIRE! FIRE!”, which was substituted by the sounds of a blaring siren. The scurry of activity which should have set in motion by the staff did not transpire as anticipated. Nonetheless, emergency services converged on the compound to extinguish, carry out search and rescue and treat the injured “victims.”
The Fire Services as well as personnel from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Gentle Care Ambulance and Jamaica Red Cross, participated in the almost 20 minutes long activity.
The Disaster Coordinator noted that although everything was in place to ensure success, there were several hiccups. For one, the majority of persons did not respond to the (drill) and took it for a joke. Though somewhat disappointed, she said the failed exercise has not deterred the Parish Disaster Planning, Management and Safety Unit, because time and again there have been successful exercises and these must be conducted to get persons in a state of readiness should the real thing occur.
The Disaster Unit continues to plan disaster preparedness activities and other means of public education geared towards increasing awareness within organizations and schools.
Much needs to be done - St. Catherine Infirmary
Maintaining an uncontaminated and sterilized environment at the St. Catherine Infirmary is the aim of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation and every step has so far been taken to ensuring that this objective is supported and sustained.
Several months ago, extensive rehabilitative and refurbishing works have been carried out and the new look is a sight for sore eyes. In fact, a new building to host social cases from the Spanish Town hospital is presently being erected. The Ministry of Health through the National Health Fund has been instrumental in this project.
Much more, however, needs to be done in other areas; and this has been the main matter under discussion when the Poor Relief Committee meets at its monthly sittings, in recent months.
In light of this, a tour of the premises was scheduled and conducted on Friday, May 25. The purpose of the tour was to look at other needs.
The findings were essentially in the section that has not yet been refurbished. This section is divided into three parts. There was dire need for beds, and clearly refurbishing and renovating on the whole interior of the building, to include the kitchenette, bathroom facility, staff locker, windows, doors etcetera. Termites’ infestation and areas that are breeding ground for rats was also a cause for concern.
Representation from the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation included Chairman and Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott, Chief Executive Officer Director of Administration, Inspector of Poor Assistant Matron and Councillors Lloyd Grant and Neil Powell, respectively.
The Board of Supervision representative was also present, as this Board has a vested interest with the care that is given to wards of the state.
The management of the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation has given assurance that these and other matters concerning the Infirmary will be dealt with in phases, as soon as funds are available.
Infirmary Tour
Simulation Exercise at the Infirmary