Emergency services lacking
Dec 05, 2002
BIG OFFICE blocks in Kampala city centre were evacuated on Wednesday in response to calls claiming that there was a bomb in one of them
BIG OFFICE blocks in Kampala city centre were evacuated on Wednesday in response to calls claiming that there was a bomb in one of them.
Roads were sealed as security officers reacted to anonymous telephone callers. It turns out that the calls were a hoax.
This is irresponsible behaviour. Quite apart from the disruption of normal activity, and the resultant waste of resources, the panic could have led to injuries and possibly fatalities.
With Uganda’s telecommunications network growing ever more sophisticated, telephones are much more available, whether in landlines, mobile phones, or public call boxes. But this does not warrant misusing them, for the kind of mischief witnessed on Wednesday is not only socially irresponsible, but it is also a criminal offence. Suspects can be prosecuted.
Wednesday’s incident also serves as a wake-up call for us all to have proper evacuation procedures and good infrastructure that can react to emergencies. There were neither fire engines nor fire fighters at the scene even two hours after the threat was first made public. Supposing it was not a hoax, and a bomb had indeed exploded? Neither were there medical services to offer first aid.
Most public buildings in Kampala do not have basic emergency infrastructure like fire extinguishers and emergency exits to use in fires, terrorism and earthquakes. Occupants have not been given emergency drills.
City authorities need to enforce the emergency exit and fire extinguisher requirements, the former especially on new buildings. The call to train the public is probably one for civic authorities, landlords and proprietors. Whosoever is responsible, let it be done!
Roads were sealed as security officers reacted to anonymous telephone callers. It turns out that the calls were a hoax.
This is irresponsible behaviour. Quite apart from the disruption of normal activity, and the resultant waste of resources, the panic could have led to injuries and possibly fatalities.
With Uganda’s telecommunications network growing ever more sophisticated, telephones are much more available, whether in landlines, mobile phones, or public call boxes. But this does not warrant misusing them, for the kind of mischief witnessed on Wednesday is not only socially irresponsible, but it is also a criminal offence. Suspects can be prosecuted.
Wednesday’s incident also serves as a wake-up call for us all to have proper evacuation procedures and good infrastructure that can react to emergencies. There were neither fire engines nor fire fighters at the scene even two hours after the threat was first made public. Supposing it was not a hoax, and a bomb had indeed exploded? Neither were there medical services to offer first aid.
Most public buildings in Kampala do not have basic emergency infrastructure like fire extinguishers and emergency exits to use in fires, terrorism and earthquakes. Occupants have not been given emergency drills.
City authorities need to enforce the emergency exit and fire extinguisher requirements, the former especially on new buildings. The call to train the public is probably one for civic authorities, landlords and proprietors. Whosoever is responsible, let it be done!