'All buildings need fire protection'
'All buildings need fire protection'
Around 50 people were killed when an entertainment center was
burned in Palembang, South Sumatra. Local police said that the
building had no proper fire exits. Jakarta also has many
entertainment centers and other nightspots that lack adequate
fire protection facilities, such as fire exits and fire
extinguishers. Here's what some people have to say about it.
Rully, 24, is a student in a private university in Jakarta. He
lives in Kemang subdistrict, South Jakarta. Rully said that he
goes to discotheques at least once a month.
"Frankly speaking, before the incident in Palembang, I never
thought about the danger of fire when I was in a discotheque. I
don't think most visitors are aware of the danger of fire.
But I think it is the nightspots' operators who are
responsible for the visitors' safety. Therefore, I hope that all
entertainment centers ensure that their premises are completely
safe and that visitors would be able to leave the room easily in
case of fire. What happened in Palembang really frightened me.
Fatima Shahab, 29, is a housewife and an employee of a
research company on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She lives in
the Kebon Melati area, also in Central Jakarta.
"I am always afraid of the possibility of fire in my office,
which is located on the 20th floor of a 25-story building. I feel
secure since my office has provided sufficient fire
extinguishers.
Frankly speaking, I really wouldn't know what to do if a fire
broke out in the building. I just hope that no one is trapped in
the elevator if it (the fire) happens. May it never happen!
I am also afraid of a fire breaking out in my neighborhood,
which is very crowded. Therefore, I have insured my house against
fire. I always try to be extra careful with stoves and other
electrical appliances and electricity itself. My husband
regularly checks the electricity system in our house. We also
have a fire extinguisher. You may think it is over the top, but I
feel safer that way."
B. Pudji Hartono, is a senior employee at Bank Niaga on Jl.
Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. He and his family have been
living in Bekasi, west of the city, for the past five years.
"I think the city has not fully empowering the fire brigade.
Both the administration and the public lack knowledge about the
risky profession of firefighting.
The poor condition of the firefighting department (its
management, and the low salary of its personnel) has been cited
as the main reason why the firefighters are often too slow to act
when there is a fire.
Most Jakarta families live in densely populated areas which
are vulnerable to fire. However, it seems to me that only a few
people have sufficient awareness of the danger of fire.
"People in general and employees working in multistory
buildings badly need proper training in fire prevention and
firefighting.
Around 50 people were killed when an entertainment center was
burned in Palembang, South Sumatra. Local police said that the
building had no proper fire exits. Jakarta also has many
entertainment centers and other nightspots that lack adequate
fire protection facilities, such as fire exits and fire
extinguishers. Here's what some people have to say about it.
Rully, 24, is a student in a private university in Jakarta. He
lives in Kemang subdistrict, South Jakarta. Rully said that he
goes to discotheques at least once a month.
"Frankly speaking, before the incident in Palembang, I never
thought about the danger of fire when I was in a discotheque. I
don't think most visitors are aware of the danger of fire.
But I think it is the nightspots' operators who are
responsible for the visitors' safety. Therefore, I hope that all
entertainment centers ensure that their premises are completely
safe and that visitors would be able to leave the room easily in
case of fire. What happened in Palembang really frightened me.
Fatima Shahab, 29, is a housewife and an employee of a
research company on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She lives in
the Kebon Melati area, also in Central Jakarta.
"I am always afraid of the possibility of fire in my office,
which is located on the 20th floor of a 25-story building. I feel
secure since my office has provided sufficient fire
extinguishers.
Frankly speaking, I really wouldn't know what to do if a fire
broke out in the building. I just hope that no one is trapped in
the elevator if it (the fire) happens. May it never happen!
I am also afraid of a fire breaking out in my neighborhood,
which is very crowded. Therefore, I have insured my house against
fire. I always try to be extra careful with stoves and other
electrical appliances and electricity itself. My husband
regularly checks the electricity system in our house. We also
have a fire extinguisher. You may think it is over the top, but I
feel safer that way."
B. Pudji Hartono, is a senior employee at Bank Niaga on Jl.
Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. He and his family have been
living in Bekasi, west of the city, for the past five years.
"I think the city has not fully empowering the fire brigade.
Both the administration and the public lack knowledge about the
risky profession of firefighting.
The poor condition of the firefighting department (its
management, and the low salary of its personnel) has been cited
as the main reason why the firefighters are often too slow to act
when there is a fire.
Most Jakarta families live in densely populated areas which
are vulnerable to fire. However, it seems to me that only a few
people have sufficient awareness of the danger of fire.
"People in general and employees working in multistory
buildings badly need proper training in fire prevention and
firefighting.