Fire Service Points To Faulty Hydrants In New Amsterdam Deaths

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has acknowledged that the lack of water in nearby hydrants hampered fire-fighters battling the blaze that claimed the lives of four persons at New Amsterdam last month.

In a press release, the GFS said that an investigation into the Charlotte Street, New Amsterdam inferno revealed that the town’s fire station received a call at 2:02am on January 24 from a joint services rank, who was informed about the fire by a neighbour.

The statement said that the GFS arrived at the scene within three minutes though owing to the “time lost factor”, on the arrival of the first response crew, the entire first floor, which housed the resting rooms for the family, was engulfed in flames. It stated that on the commencement of operations, firefighters began working from their tank supply and since the supply was limited, they attempted to source water from nearby hydrants. “That proved futile since there was no water in the system. Firefighters were then forced water from a nearby chamber but that also provided for a limited time of firefighting,” the GFS declared.

It added that the firemen eventually resorted to accessing water from the Republic Avenue canal though they first had to clear portions of the canal of overgrowth and garbage to achieve a successful flow of water.

The fire fighters at New Amsterdam, who responded to the fire, must be commended, when one considers the fact that a fire of such magnitude was contained to the building of origin, the release asserted, while stating that all concerned must consider safety as equally important as security.

This newspaper had previously reported on the issue with the hydrants. Sources had disclosed that 46 new hydrants had been installed around New Amsterdam within recent times but they are reportedly non-functional and water can only be accessed from some of the hydrant pits. It was stated that the contractors did a poor job during the installation of the emergency pipes which has never been corrected.

The January 24 fire had ripped through the two-flat wooden and concrete house around 1:40 am leaving the owner of Persaud’s Funeral Home, Ivor Persaud, 63; his wife Patsy Persaud, 60 and their grandchildren, nine-year-old Melissa and five-year-old Armand, dead. Post-mortem examinations performed on their charred remains proved that they died from smoke inhalation.

The GFS statement did not say whether its investigations had determined the cause of the fire. The statement expressed the fire service’s condolences to the relatives and friends of the Persauds.

Further, the GFS added that it is constantly working through its budgetary allocation to improve its overall response capabilities and stated that it is cognizant of the government’s commitment to this cause pointing to the allocation in this year’s budget for the procurement of fire tenders, an aircraft crash tender, a water carrier and other support equipment.

Fire Service Creates History With Promotions

Thirteen firemen have been promoted from the rank of Fire Sub-Station Officer to Fire Station Officer. This is the first time in the history of the T&T Fire Service that this type of promotion—Fire Sub-Station Officer to Fire Station Officer—took place.

Chief Fire Officer Justin Bowen, who addressed the newly promoted officers on Monday, urged them to be “pioneers.” The promotion ceremony was held at Fire Service Headquarters on Wrightson Road in Port-of-Spain. “You have to be pioneers, you have to be part of the change within the Fire Service,” Bowen said. Saying that the promotion “in itself” spoke volumes, Bowen told the officers they displayed a high level of dedication to service and willingness to learn.

He said, “You have demonstrated the capacity to be leaders and you should not look at yourselves as just Fire Station Offices but envisage the next rank.” Chief Staff Officer Andre Renie, who also spoke, advised the officers to keep themselves abreast with modern firefighting techniques. “We are in different and difficult times and we have to be tactful when dealing with the younger members of our community,” Renie said.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service

Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service ...in the service of the people.

The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service operates under the Fire Service Act Chapter 35:50 of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Fire Service operates under four main divisions strategically located throughout the country. These are the Northern Division, Southern Division, Central Division and Tobago Division.

The Ambulance Service is a 24 hour, 7 days a week response unit, set up to give ready assistance to person in need of emergency care.

Over 62 firefighters specially trained, as Paramedics and 24 ambulances are strategically located throughout the 4 divisions.

The Fire Service uses a 990 emergency call system. Fire Service Headquarters is located at:

Wrightson Road,
Port of Spain
Telephone: 625-2671-5
Fax: 623-8463
Website: http://www.ttfireservice.com

Fire Officers Participate In Video Workshop

Four members of the Barbados Fire Service recently participated in a film and video workshop hosted by the Barbados Film and Video Association. The workshop was aimed at preparing persons in the fundamentals of working on a professional film or video shoot.

The training consisted of both theory and practical sessions, with actual scenes shot on a set by a professional crew. The workshop instructors were line producer and production manager on many international feature films, Beatrice Hallenbarter; and producer of documentaries and dramas, and script supervisor on international feature films, Penelope Hynam.

The knowledge and exposure gained by the fire officers will assist the Barbados Fire Service in developing content as it seeks to prepare educational video productions for the general public on safety issues. Some of this work can be seen on the department's internet television channel www.fireservice.gov.bb/webcast.

About The Caribbean Association Of Fire Fighters

The Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters (CAFF) was established on October 26, 2000 in Castries, St. Lucia. The Association provides an umbrella organisation for fire fighters in the Caribbean by presenting a united body geared towards improving the conditions of respective fire departments through education and other basic support services.

It recognizes fire fighters as professionals who work relentlessly, forever raising professional standards. The association recognizes all international professional conventions and is made up of fire fighters from the following territories: Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitt's and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.

Effective October 25, 2001 the Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters entered into membership with the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters (IABPFF) under which CAFF became an autonomous body within the structure of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters and its recognized representative body within the Caribbean. Not withstanding the above, the Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters may enter into membership with any other International organisation, whose activities advance the objectives of the Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters.