WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2010-04-06 Time: 08:00:01 Posted By: News Poster
Harare – SOMEWHERE in this issue we carry a story that the Harare City Council has no capacity to deal with fires in high-rise buildings, a development that sends cold shivers among all those who do business from these tall buildings.
Harare Mayor Mr Muchadeyi Masunda says although the city does have fire tenders, it has no ability to reach the uppermost floors.
This is unbelievable. It means the Harare City Council fire brigade can only act after a major disaster has left many dead and some high-rise buildings are in ruins because of its apathy towards fire prevention.
There are also instances when fire tenders are sent empty to the scene of a fire only to realise on arrival that the fire tender has no water to put down the raging inferno.
A visit to some buildings in the city shows that there is no water in fire hose reels. Fire extinguishers in most cases are not serviced.
Could it be because the city has no experienced fire prevention officers to effectively policy fire by-laws? Most buildings in the city are covered by insurance. But do insurance companies really bother to inspect them?
Most of the buildings are ill-equipped to respond to fire outbreaks.
It is therefore irresponsible for the Harare City Council to simply say their traditional suppliers of firefighting equipment have turned their backs on them. Are they the only ones in the world? They should not waste time on them if they are not prepared to do business with them.
Moreover, the equipment supplied does not come free. The city fire brigade cannot continue to operate with obsolete firefighting equipment.
Not only do we face the risk of tragic loss of life, but it is the duty of everyone to protect the city from losing large amounts invested in case of a fire outbreak.
The growing number of fires throughout Zimbabwe in recent years highlights the problem.
It is also up to insurance companies to inspect properties at least once a year to ensure everything is in order, instead of just demanding hefty premiums.
Fire regulations which are being ignored by some hair salons, clothing and food outlets and office blocks include the display of fire control points and exit signs, easy access to exits and the correct placing of extinguishers.
“No smoking” signs are often obscured or disregarded and in one building recently welding was going on next to stocks of highly inflammable liquids.
On its part, the Harare City Council should always carry out awareness campaigns among households on how to fight or prevent fire outbreaks before the arrival of firefighters.
There should also be stricter monitoring of fire equipment servicing companies. This follows an increase in the number of under-qualified firms in the city.
Most of these companies operate despite lacking expertise and manpower hence the high number of unserviceable equipment in offices.
Prevention is better than cure. Unfortunately, it takes a fire before people become aware of this. Every household and office should regard fire as public enemy number one.
Original Source: 
Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Original date published: 6 April 2010
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201004060011.html?viewall=1