Here's my thoughts on this. I found the tone of some of the reporting of this case rather nauseating though it's a fact of life that PR departments and the newspapers never get a story 100% right. It's not the role of the fire service to go out to "secure big fines" that's for the courts to decide.
Lets stand back and look at the salient points.
Abject management of fire safety in a hotel placed relevant persons at risk in case of fire.
The fire service took some initial steps through enforcement measures to reduce the risk. When their enforcement action and advice went unheeded they took action in the courts. The court agreed with the fire service and the responsible person was punished.
We are all safer as a result of robust enforcement by the fire service and the message this gives to others who may also put people's lives at risk through their ignorance or neglect of duty. That is a very good thing.
Publicity supports the promulgation of this important message. Unfortunately that's when the PR people take over. Their agenda is unlike ours, most of us being interested only in protecting people from fire. The PR machine exists to promote the public image and status of the brigade. Their presentation is characterised by notes of victory and triumphalism. The celebratory nature of the news story in several media streams I found a turn off. I was sorry that lives had been put at risk, I was glad that the fire service had taken decisive action, that a firm example had been made of those responsible and that this would give a strong message to others. To go further is akin to cheering at a public hanging.
