Summary
- Concerns rise among parents in Orihuela over expired fire extinguishers in local schools.
- Many educational institutions, especially in rural areas, lack updated fire safety equipment.
- the city council acknowledges the issue and is working on a new maintenance contract.
- A budget of over 140,000 euros has been allocated for fire safety maintenance and inspections.
Fire Safety Concerns in Orihuela Schools: Parents Demand Action
In the Spanish municipality of orihuela, an urgent safety issue has surfaced, raising alarms among parents and the local educational community. The council is facing mounting criticism over the status of fire safety equipment across various schools, sparking a wave of concern regarding the wellbeing of students and staff.
Current Situation in Orihuela Schools
Recently,parents have expressed their outrage as many schools within the municipality—including those in rural areas—have been found with expired fire extinguishers. Specifically, at the CEIP Virgen de Monserrate in Torremendo, out of 23 extinguishers inspected in 2023, only ten were operational, while the others expired last December. Similar issues have been reported at other schools such as CEIP Maestro Ismael García, CEIP Rincón de Bonanza, and CEIP Francisco Girona.
Key points to note include:
- Expired Equipment: Many schools are found using extinguishers and other fire safety equipment that have not been serviced for years.
- Neglected Systems: At the CEE Antonio Sequeros, no inspections have taken place since 2020.
- Rising Alarm: Parents have flagged that proper maintenance hasn’t been conducted, resulting in several broken fire detectors and sprinklers.
Parents’ Reactions to Safety Failures
The concerns voiced by parents highlight a growing dissatisfaction with the municipality’s commitment to student safety. The quote, “It’s shameful that a vital safety measure is not updated,” reflects their fears that the current situation could lead to catastrophic events in case of a fire emergency.
City Council’s Response and Future Plans
In response to the escalating situation, the orihuela City Council has acknowledged the existing deficiencies in fire safety equipment. “When we assumed office, we found that school fire extinguishers had gone uninspected for four years,” a council member stated.
New Initiatives for Safety Improvement
To address these challenges, the council has:
- Implemented a Temporary Contract: A maintenance contract was initiated late last year to provide immediate relief.
- Future Planning: A thorough service contract, set for approval soon, will ensure ongoing maintenance and inspection for a period of two years, with a budget of €140,242.20 allocated for fire safety improvements.
Conclusion
The situation in Orihuela underscores the critical importance of maintaining safety standards in schools,particularly in firefighting equipment. As the community seeks assurance regarding their children’s safety, the city council’s forthcoming steps will be instrumental in restoring trust among parents and ensuring that educational environments are adequately protected.
For further details, you can read the full article from La verdad here.