Drop-In Centre preliminary report reveals systemic problems at the facility – Harmon

The preliminary report on the Hadfield Street Drop-In Centre fire has revealed systemic problems which exist not only at the facility but in many government offices that have to be addressed.

This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

The Minister during this week’s post cabinet media briefing said the preliminary report pointed to some bad policy arrangements for fires and not enough collaboration between the entities that are responsible for the management of the Drop in Centre. He noted that “we have to look at our fire codes, our building standards and the fact that in some buildings when you look around you don’t see a fire point.”

He also recalled that in a period gone by at the level of the school there were fire drills and other emergency protocols in place, which have been eroded over time but it is the plan of this administration to bring these systems back in order to ensure a safer country.

Brothers Antonio and Joshua George lost their lives in the fire which destroyed the upper flat of the Hadfield Street facility.

Since then President David Granger had ordered an inquiry into the incident which is being conducted by Colonel Windee Algernon and has been given an August 15,2016 deadline.