Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Orchid Garden Hotel yesterday held a live Emergency Response Exercise at its premises, which was headed by Building Emergency Controller Mohd Iswandi Maaruf.

The objectives of the exercise were to test hotel personnel on their readiness and response towards emergency situations as well as their skills in the necessary Emergency Response Procedures (ERP), which include evacuations and basic first aid.

The scenario yesterday tested their response to a fire on the first floor, which was followed by a 'huge explosion,' and subsequently resulting in the Building Emergency Team and 'injured fire victims' being trapped.

As soon as the fire alarm was raised, hotel personnel and guests evacuated the building, making their way to a designated assembly point.

The Building Emergency Team was able to evacuate several 'injured victims' during the exercise, which saw 25 firefighters from the Berakas Fire and Rescue Department responding to the emergency.

The response time of the Berakas Fire Station personnel was six minutes, while RIPAS Hospital paramedics reached the scene in eight to 10 Minutes.

Fire and Rescue Personnel immediately got down to assessing the situation and liaising with the OGH Assistant Chief of Security, who briefed them on the situation. Following this, they moved in to rescue the remaining trapped victims and control the fire. Meanwhile, the Women's Firefighter Unit was tied down with setting up a triage tent in the safe zone for the rescued victims.

Paramedics were kept busy assessing the victims of emergency, treating them accordingly before ferrying the more severe cases to the hospital.

The Fire and Rescue personnel then went on to secure the area so that it was no longer a threat to the hotel staff and guests.

Fire and Rescue Station Berakas Operation 'C' Station Commander Pg Yassin bin Pg Hj Chuchu headed the Fire and Rescue team.

This was the fifth combined fire drill conducted by Orchid Garden Hotel in collaboration with the Brunei Fire and Rescue Services, and RIPAS Emergency Unit (Paramedics).

Present to oversee the fire drill were three officers from the Public Relations Division of the Fire and Rescue Department, which was headed by DSO Rozita bte Hj Mohd Kamis. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin