Managing a disaster
2009-05-21
Lise Beyers
WHEN Paarl Print managing director Mike Ehret drove to work on Friday 17 April, it was like any other day. Little did he know that within minutes he would be in the centre of managing a disaster of the likes which Paarl had never seen before. And within the next month he would have attended 13 funerals. His whole world came to a sudden stop when he saw black smoke billowing from the Dal Josaphat factory. And staring the monster in the eye, instead of turning his back and running, Ehret, together with senior members of his staff, clicked into over-drive to first and foremost see to the employees of Paarl Print. “I had received the call about the fire on my way to work. When I saw the thick black smoke in the distance, I immediately realised that this was very serious. “We immediately assembled the employees to see who was missing. Trips were made to the hospitals to establish who were there, and the data of the clock-in records was captured, to find out exactly who was at work that day.” Within three hours a list was constructed of who was missing. But the day became even bleaker when the first bodies were retrieved at midday. “Never did I imagine that I would have to cope with such a situation. But one goes into auto-drive, and you deal with the situation in the best way possible.” During the course of the weekend, Ehret would barely have seven hours sleep. The rest of the fateful day was spent arranging transport to and from hospitals, food and councilling. And there were still two people missing. Ehret helped rescue workers access to start the search, but many areas were still inaccessible because of the heat. “Yet there was always hope of finding them alive.” Ehret was at the scene until 03:30 on Saturday morning. After a short rest, he went back to the factory where rescue workers were still searching for the two missing employees. Later the morning, he accompanied Drakenstein Mayor, Charmaine Manuel, on a visit to the families of the deceased. Then it was again back to factory, only to be informed that the bodies of the last two missing people had been found. Ehret then met with the Minister of Labour who visited the site of the fire. The Minister was extremely impressed by the way which the management of Paarl Print were dedicated to standing by their employees, instead of being worried about the business which had burnt to the ground. “From the very beginnining, and even until now, the employees and their families have been our first priority. “Buildings can be restored, but it is our staff, with their passion and dedication, which is the foundation of our business. No cost is being spared in seeing to their welfare.”Also during that weekend, Ehret arranged a wreath-laying ceremony for Monday morning in memory of the deceased and the many injured employees. Thousands of pamphlets were printed to keep staff informed and a bulk SMS service was set up to accommodate the staff, as well as a call centre. The next week was spent seeing to the every need of the affected families, with councilling available around the clock for all employees. Ehret spent days visiting families and the injured in various hospitals around the Peninsula. And in between, he has also been involved in seeing to the future of the business. “Most of our staff has been relocated to other factories such as Paarl Web. Here we have established the temporary headquarters of Paarl Print. Printing is being done here as well as at other printing companies. “We are placing orders for new printing equipment - the first machines should be arriving in three months’ time. “And we are looking at another site where Paarl Print will be re-established.” “The heart of our business remains intact. And although the disaster has been devastating, it has bound us all together. “The support that we have recevied from the entire community has been amazing. E-mails and SMS’s of sympathy and compassion have streamed in. I even received a letter from a prisoner. “Nashua cellular donated cellphones to replace those that were left behind in the fire. So many other hands reached out in assistance.” For Ehret it has been a long, hard month, but he is able to see into the future. “This disaster has affected us all in ways unimaginable. But it has made us stronger and brought us closer together. We will rebuild the business in memory of those who lost their lives.” * Donations can be made to the Family Support Fund which was established to offer ongoing support in the long term for those affected by the fire, at Standard Bank, Paarl Printing (Pty) Ltd, account number 072201401, branch code 050210.
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