Seychelles last week, was subjected one of its biggest fires, that caused major disruption of traffic to and from Victoria. The fire at the Public Transport Bus Depot was contained fast enough by the island’s Fire Brigade, but many on the islands reflected on what is so often referred to as our “Duty of Care” as a Tourism Destination.
The same day of the Victoria fire, a ferry boat for a private island resort close to La Digue also caught fire and sunk just after the crew members had been rescued.
Preparedness is essential and the responsibility lies on each and every one involved in the industry. This is why news of a “Fire Drill & Basic fire fighting training” that was held but days before at the Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort of La Digue was welcomed.
Amin Thulung, the Security Manager of Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort at La Digue confirmed that on two days some 23 staffs from the resort’s different departments followed the fire drill and the basic fire fighting training. “Well I must say that feedback collected from the participants were positive. They really took the positive advantage from the training and they really enjoyed it. They have also requested to again repeat this training in the near future” said Amin Thulung.
When news broke about the two fires last week many Tour Operators contacted us through various news networks wanting re-assurance that tourists were not at all being affected. Insecurity is not a friend of the Tourism industry and the drills at Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort of La Digue is an example that needs to be done by everyone. The main target of the fire drill at the La Digue property was to update staff, new and old, on how, when and where to be and what to do during the time of an emergency, and how to rescue the injured persons. The main purpose of firefighting training was to ensure staff were updated on how to tackle a fire using the fire extinguisher and also with fire blankets. The training also centred on what kind to fire extinguisher to be used in different particular types of fire.
“We are being proactive to reduce the loss of life and loss of property and this training will help us a lot. We shall continue this kind of training” said the Security Manager at Le Domaine de L’Ogangeraie Resort of La Digue.
