Problems, Suggestions, Solutions And Action
(By Teams: WZO Trusts and Empowering Mobeds)
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The Cause: The recent incident of a young Mobed performing the Boi ceremony being severely burnt due to the Jama worn by him having caught fire by flying embers, has made it essential to review safety norms in the interest of our Mobeds.
Background: Since time immemorial, Zoroastrians have worshipped fire and generations of Mobeds have tended to the sacred fires in our various Atash Behrams and Agiaries. In recent years, there have been a series of unfortunate incidents involving Mobeds getting burnt, as a result of stray, flying embers.
This article is a collective attempt by Teams WZO Trusts and Empowering Mobeds to identify the problems, offer suggestions for solutions and share the initial action taken. Considering the gravity of the situation, it is very essential that necessary dialogue should be undertaken through which safety norms can be introduced, impart training to Mobeds and Behdins on measures to be undertaken during an emergency situation, whereby safety of Mobeds who are prone to grievous injuries for no fault of their own, is ensured.
About The Jama: The Jama that Mobeds wear whilst tending to fire in the kebla is a white coloured traditional flowing robe worn over their clothes and is often made of cotton or fine muslin. In older times Jamas were made of thicker quality, hand woven linen.
Fire Hazards Facing Mobeds: A number of recent unfortunate incidents have happened where mainly Mobeds’ clothes have caught fire. In a majority of cases, it has started with the Jama catching fire whilst the Mobed has been performing the Boi ceremony in the kebla; and in some cases where ceremonies such as Jashans, monthly remembrance prayers, by coming into contact with the divo or by a stray flying ember.
Mobeds are aware that flying embers are very common and will agree that whilst the setranji (cotton rug used for prayers) is singed frequently, there has never been an instance of a setranji bursting into flames. The reason for this is purely the thickness and proximity of the setranji to the ground.
Putting Out A Clothes Fire: When a person’s clothing catches fire, action must be instinctive and immediate. There is no time to think. The one thing one should never do is run.
To minimize a burn injury when clothes catch fire, it is very essential to STOP, DRO, and ROLL. Burns are among the most painful of injuries and the third leading cause of unintentional death. The hands, groin, face and lungs are at particular risk because they are delicate structures and easily injured.
The healing process is slow and painful, resulting not only in enormous personal suffering but also enormous financial expenses are incurred, which Mobeds are generally unable to bear on their own.
A bystander can assist by dousing the fire with water, or using a fire blanket, non-flammable mat, blanket or article of clothing to assist in smothering the fire. A water fire extinguisher (all red body) is the only type of fire extinguisher which can be safely used in this situation. It is very important not to use any other type of fire extinguisher.
Ways Suggested To Avoid / Mitigate The Problem: It is very necessary that Trustees and Managements of every Atashbehram and Agiary should:
- Raise Awareness levels by providing regular training and demonstrations to be given to Mobeds and Behdins alike via various mediums.
- Place a setranji or fire blanket in an easily accessible corner of the room where ceremonies are performed.
- Make available easily-operable, push-button Fire Extinguishers (preferably water based) near areas identified as having hazards.
- Treat Clothing with Flame Retardants is not viable as most flame retardants wash off after a few washes at best and often irritate the skin and cause rashes.
- Minor change of design to the Jama where behind the kas (cotton tie) snap buttons can be fitted, like in daglis, so that it can be taken out within seconds, in cases of emergency.
- Vada Dasturjis need to be consulted and permission needs to be taken if a badan (not collared shirt) and an ijar over the legha can be worn for Boi ceremonies in Adarians or a sahyo (worn by Irani mobeds). Atash Behtam Boiwallas can continue wearing the full regalia.
- Use good quality seasoned and properly dried sandalwood and kathi whenever possible.
- Consult with Fire Safety experts and formulate a training program.
- Quick thinking by onlookers and Mobeds having been trained will certainly save lives in the future.
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Initial Action Underway A donor who wishes to remain anonymous, has gifted to WZO Trusts’ 300 hand held cans of a fire retardant, with a request that two cans be given to every Atashbehram and Agiary in India which can be kept on hand, wherever a Mobed is performing religious ceremonies. These cans will shortly be distributed through volunteers team of Empowering Mobeds. A short video is being conceptualised that will educate Mobeds on the proper way to tend to the fires. It has been the experience of senior Mobeds that young Mobeds many a times extend their arms very close to the fire, singeing the cuff of their jamas that creates such avoidable mishaps.
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Suggestions Welcome!
We look forward to and welcome suggestions of a practical nature that would further enhance the safety of our Mobeds. We can be contacted on Face Book Walls of ‘World Zoroastrian Organisation / WZO Trust Funds’, and ‘Empowering Mobeds’, or email us at: mobeds@mobeds.com
In Conclusion
Recognising that the safety and wellbeing of our Mobeds tending to the spiritual needs of our community is paramount, WZO Trusts’ and Empowering Mobeds have jointly undertaken this initiative with the hope that with proper training, such recurring accidents with our Mobeds will be eliminated.
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