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Surveying the Hospital for a Fire Evacuation Plan

Juliet Main

When we left the States, we thought we’d measure and paint a few rooms, then move on to other tasks, such as staffing the feeding program, assisting at a rural clinic or working with some of the children’s programs.  When we were asked to survey the entire hospital as built, we were a bit surprised but were excited that they had a specific and urgent need that we could fulfill.

The reason we were given this task is because the hospital does not have a fire plan or evacuation plan. This is not out of the ordinary for Calcutta, where most old buildings have buckets of sand rather than fire extinguishers. The lack of an evacuation plan is also a concern because the city does not have great firefighting capabilities. If a fire were to occur at the hospital, it would be devastating not only from a loss of life and injury standpoint, but also could wipe out decades of trust and goodwill that the ministry has built. 

The idea of surveying an entire building is daunting enough.  But we haven’t been surveying empty rooms.  We’ve had to climb over numerous objects – bedpans (sometimes used), wastebaskets full of syringes, nasty toilets, and patients, to measure grubby walls and grimy floors. 

Architecture and engineering are not skills listed on any of our resumes, nor is math or interior design.  But we’ve rolled with the punches.  2 Corinthians 12:9 says My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  That’s how we’ve managed to get our work done, while taking the time to show compassion to suffering patients and overworked nurses.  And not throw up in our mouths too much.

Savonne

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