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There was a false bomb scare recently at the hospital I work and the
behaviour of the people around was, to say the least, stupid. There was
a
parcel near the building and when the alarm went off that this could
be a bomb, people even crossed from the opposite side of the road to
have a look at it!
There were four police officers and they did not dissuade the people
from coming near nor tried to stop the vehicles on the road. My car was
parked nearby and the security officers insisted I take my car out. If
it was a bomb and if it went off, the consequences could have been
disastrous.
It is essential the police and the public be educated how to act in
the event of a bomb scare. This could minimise the damage.
Here is a list of what to do and what not to do, I took from the
internet.
Suspicious objects:
Do be watchful of your surroundings at all times, during regular
office hours, after office hours, and on weekends.
Do report immediately to your security any unattended items that you
notice.
Do call the following numbers to get emergency assistance: 118, 119,
2433333(Police Emergency), or 2434253 / 2244057 (bomb squad)
If you hear of a bomb scare:
Do not hang around the area where the suspected bomb is located.
Leave the place immediately.
Dissuade people from coming near the parcel to look to see what is
happening.
If you are stuck in a traffic jam, get down, lock the vehicle and get
away from the area. If you cannot get away crouch near the vehicle.
Do not place yourself in exposed areas (near glass windows for
example) and do not peep out to see what is happening when you hear
bombs / bomb scare: you might get directly in harm’s way and make
yourself an easy target.
Do move away immediately and crouch if you hear any sound of gun-fire
or any other similar sound or should you observe an unusual crack
suddenly developing on the glass sheets.
Do be as calm as possible. If someone else takes charge of the
situation follow him/her without hesitation. Do help to vacate the
building - when necessary - in an urgent and orderly manner.
Do not make any unnecessary movements and decisions before
ascertaining the situation around you properly (For example, if it is an
attack on the building, floors above or below you could be affected. You
must be mindful of this when exiting.)
Do ensure that your attire does not hinder movement in an emergency
(For example high heels may cause injury in an emergency evacuation).
Abandon immediately any sharp / protruding objects you may be carrying
in these situations.
Suspicious persons:
Do observe the behaviour of customers, vendors, messengers, delivery
boys etc. as and when time permits and notify your security or manager
immediately if anything unusual is observed.
Exercise your right tactfully and without the notice of the person
concerned so that you protect yourself, other staff members, and the
property of the institution without jeopardising the institution and its
customer relations.
DR. MAREENA THAHA REFFAI - Dehiwela
A protest against the increasing fuel prices was organised recently.
It is learnt that the protest was in the form of the continued blowing
of horns of vehicles on the road at 12.00 noon with the lights on.
Motorists who are inclined to protest in this manner should be
cautioned to ensure that their batteries are in good order if they
intend to do it with the vehicles stopped as a weak battery may refuse
to start after this treatment and cause traffic disruptions.
If they intend to do it with the engine running but vehicle stopped
they should think of the effect on the national fuel bill where the
engine idles for five minutes.
Lastly if they intend to do it on the run or in any manner it would
be worth reflecting on their contribution to noise pollution, possible
violation of silence zones and last but not least the example set for
the school going population.
K.C. DE SILVA - Nugegoda
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