One wonders why a solution cannot be found for the effective management of the Riverton landfill. But is it that it cannot be found, or the powers that be choose not to find it? The reality is, it cannot continue like this. It is about time something be done. Not next year, not the end of the year but now.

Every time there is a fire at this landfill, it costs thousands or millions of dollars to bring it under control. Aside from the financial pressure it places on the public purse, it is a severe environmental and economic crisis. Not only is it an environmental issue, it is a major health hazard. Is there a year that goes by and there is not a fire at that landfill? I am sick and tired of it and it has to stop.

Every time there is a fire at this landfill, it costs thousands or millions of dollars to bring it under control. Aside from the financial pressure it places on the public purse, it is a severe environmental and economic crisis. Not only is it an environmental issue, it is a major health hazard. Is there a year that goes by and there is not a fire at that landfill? I am sick and tired of it and it has to stop.

Last year when CHIKV came to our shores and attacked and paralysed many, Minister Fenton Ferguson was battered by the nation for his handling of the matter. Here we are now facing another fire at the Riverton landfill, and Minister Noel Arscott is somewhere enjoying his air-conditioned office, or cleaner air possibly in another country, while a large of his electorate is suffering as a result of his inaction. He is no different from Fenton Ferguson and he should give an account for this.

The Horrific Havoc at Holy Childhood High school and others should not have happened. What I experienced in two hours I have never experienced in my 12 years as an educator. Girls were falling in threes and fours with chest heaving and they cannot find a breath. They laid sprawled on the floor of the nurse’s station, blouse unbuttoned, as several students and teachers desperately tried to provide them with fresh air from all assortment of papers. Tears, screams, extreme trembling, epileptic attack, vomit, you name it. Some were even unresponsive. As I surveyed the scene around me, I clenched my teeth, my toes, and I hated our government representatives. I saw one father as he entered the room, face filled with consternation as he searched hurriedly for his child. The number of blue and beige — too many for the room — spread haphazardly on the floor, coupled with the frantic and panic cries of students, and adults issuing instructions, made his task of locating his daughter harder. On locating her sitting in a corner being cradled by a classmate who was frantically fanning her with a book, the heroic dad hoisted her on his back and rushed her to his waiting car. When I saw this, I was flooded with emotions and had to suppress my tears, but I could not help the tear or two that squeezed from the corner of my eyes. I couldn’t cry. I had to remain strong for all the girls who were lying on the ground gasping for air. By the busloads, by the carloads, that’s how we shipped them off to the hospital escorted by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Inundated with respiratory conditions, Medical Associates Hospital later sent word to us that they were full and could accommodate no more, so it was off to Andrews Memorial Hospital under the blaring sirens of security forces.

I am sure this ordeal I briefly recounted was not unique to Holy Childhood High, but was splintered across the Corporate Area and St Catherine. I asked now, who should be responsible for the medical expenses of these students, especially those who were critical and had to be given IV and X-rays? I asked the same question that everyone is articulating: Who should be held responsible for this massive health, environment and economic crisis? Can people be so negligent? Yet, with all of this negligence we reward them by keeping them in those positions. Had schools not acted quickly, what would have happened to these children? The support of some parents were even lacking in the process. I made calls to parents who indicated they could not come to pick up their children because they were unable to leave work. However, the one that was most upsetting and had me in shock, was the parent who told me “me caan come right now, mi affi go bathe fus”. This was unbelievable! Everyone cannot be so insensitive and clueless and treat the situation so lightly. This Riverton fire is a serious issue. I am tired of the lip service. Each time there is a fire the powers that be repeat the multiple strategies that will be implemented to stem the problem, yet the nation is faced with this unwelcomed, putrid and deadly monster around the same time every year. What is this, a calendar event? And, who are the beneficiaries of its staging?

Are there other landfills across the world that are properly managed? Why then has the Government refused to adopt some of these best practices to address this issue? So many questions and, as is the custom, so little answers.

There is talk about removing the landfill; but if basic fire preventative measures cannot be implemented, then wherever they put it, the problem will still recur. Even then, I am certain a fraction of the populace will be affected. At the end of the fire, the air that we breathe is filled with toxic and other cancerous substances. Our health sector itself is in need of medical care, yet we continue to do things that compound the problem. What this landfill needs is management. Not management painted with lip service, decisions made in the name of friendship, political popularity and self-interest; but good, effective management, built on proactiveness, forward thinking, and public interest.

Though we are seething with anger over the situation, there is a lesson in it for the education sector too. Teachers are not medical personnels. Most schools have only one registered nurse. This mayhem in schools is an indication that all schools must put in place a protocol and strategies for emergencies of this nature. This is not an earthquake or fire, where the drills can be done to sensitise the school populace about how to respond in the eventuality it happens. Though not a regular occurrence, it is necessary to have systems in place. I also believe the Ministry of Education (MOE) could adopt a strategy used in the United States of America. They have what is called a “delay” of “day off”. Whenever there is threat of chronic snow or other inclement weather, they either delay the start of school and monitor the weather or the close school for the day. They would then make up for the school day or hours lost using the short breaks they get throughout the year. Had the ministry made this judgement call earlier, some of this could have been avoided, but I notice that the MOE is slow to act. However, this catastrophe that disturbed the equilibrium of schools and business places is not the MOE’s fault, because even if they had made this judgement call, many would have still been affected by the soot emanating from the fire because; one, the soot was spread widely, and two, the affected was not limited to children.

As a nation, we cannot sit idly by and let this continue. We cannot stay in our corners and let this be a nine-day talk — six for burning and three for concluding statements. I am calling on the media, the Opposition party, and us as citizens to continue to demand answers from the powers that be to rectify this matter immediately.

It would be remiss of me if I did not use this opportunity to extend heartfelt thank you to Parkington Medical Centre, the First Aid students, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the parents and passers-by for coming out and helping the Holy Childhood High School community during our time of crisis.

Dorraine Reid is an educator who also holds a Master of Science degree in public sector management. Comments: rainereid@gmail.com