Bajan Fire Fighters Blog

  Welcome to the “Bonfire Chat”, the public safety podcast brought to you by Bajan Fire Fighters’ Network, where community awareness meets real-life action. Every day, emergencies happen without warning, but the truth is: many incidents can be prevented, and lives can be saved when people have the right information at the right time. This podcast is designed to educate, inspire, and empower you with practical safety tips, expert insights, and real conversations focused on protecting our homes, families, and communities. Whether it’s fire safety, emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, or everyday prevention strategies, our mission is simple: to help you stay informed, stay ready, and stay safe. 🎧 Subscribe now via Spotify or YouTube and join us as we work together to build a stronger, safer Barbados one episode at a time. Follow, share, like and turn on notifications, because public safety is everyone’s responsibility… and together, we can make a difference. 🔊  Lis...

  THE 10 PHASES OF FIREGROUND OPERATIONS Fireground operations follow a structured sequence designed to prioritize life safety, stabilize the incident, and protect property. These phases guide firefighters from arrival to termination, ensuring safe, coordinated, and effective operations. 1️⃣ Pre-Fire Planning Fire departments gather critical information about structures, hazards, fire protection systems, access points, water supply, and occupancy. Pre-incident planning improves response time, tactical decisions, and firefighter safety. 2️⃣ Size-Up (Scene Size-Up) The Incident Commander conducts a continuous evaluation of:  • Fire location and extent  • Building construction  • Life hazard and occupancy  • Available resources  • Weather and wind conditions  • Risk vs. benefit (NFPA 1500) Size-up determines the operational strategy: offensive, defensive, or transitional. 3️⃣ Rescue (Life Safety) Life safety is the highest priority. Rescue includes locat...

 We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Marcia Brandon for her many years of dedicated and exemplary service as General Secretary of the Barbados Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (BANGO). Throughout her tenure, Dr. Brandon provided steady leadership and a clear voice for the NGO and CSO community, championing the vital work of civil society and helping to elevate its role in national development. Her commitment, professionalism, and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and our charity is proud to publicly recognise her sterling contribution. As we express our appreciation, we also warmly welcome Ambassador Dr. Christopher Walton as the new General Secretary of BANGO. We look forward to continued collaboration and to supporting BANGO’s mission under his leadership. Thank you, Dr. Brandon, for your service and welcome, Dr. Walton, as we move forward together in service to our communities. 

  We're excited to introduce a brand-new feature on our website, the Classifieds Listing, designed to bring even more value to our volunteers, firefighters, stakeholders, and the wider public. This new space creates an easy, community-friendly way to share information, promote opportunities, and connect people with what they need. From items for sale and services offered, to community notices and helpful opportunities, the Classified Listings is open to both our volunteers and members of the public, making it a practical hub for everyday exchanges and meaningful connections. For our volunteers, the Classified Listings is another benefit of being part of our organisation, a platform to promote small ventures, share opportunities, or find what they're looking for within a trusted community. For the public, it offers a safe, accessible place to engage with our network and support a charity committed to service, safety, and community development.  We invite all our members and vol...

  The annual Protective Services Open Day held on Saturday once again proved to be a meaningful and engaging experience for people across Barbados, offering the public a rare opportunity to step behind the scenes and interact directly with the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe. From the early afternoon, families, and visitors of all ages gathered at the Emergency Services Complex in The Pine, St. Michael to explore the wide range of protective equipment on display. Police officers, firefighters, medics, prison officers, and military personnel took time to explain their roles, demonstrate equipment, and share real-life experiences. These conversations helped to break down barriers, turning uniforms into familiar faces and building trust through open, friendly interaction. One of the greatest strengths of the Open Day is its role in community engagement. By creating a relaxed and welcoming environment, the event encourages dialogue between the ...

    KNOW THE TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE  Fire does not happen by accident. It needs four elements working together to start and continue burning. This concept is called the Tetrahedron of Fire.   1. Fuel Fuel is anything that can burn. It may be solid (wood, paper, cloth), liquid (gasoline, alcohol, oils), or gas (LPG, natural gas). Without fuel, fire cannot exist.   2. Heat Heat is the energy needed to raise fuel to its ignition temperature. It can come from open flames, hot surfaces, sparks, friction, or electrical energy. Removing heat cools the fire and helps stop combustion.   3. Oxygen Oxygen usually comes from the air. Normal air contains about 21% oxygen, and most fires need around 16% oxygen to keep burning. Smothering a fire or limiting oxygen supply can extinguish it.   4. Chemical Chain Reaction This is the process that keeps fire burning once it starts. The flame creates continuous chemical reactions that produce heat and flammable gases. Som...