CAFF Elects New Executive Board

The Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters held its General Meeting and Election of Officers recently during its 5th Biennial Conference in Dominica. The new Executive Board (2009 - 2011) is as follows: President Mr. Charles Ramsaroop (Trinidad & Tobago), 1st Vice President Mr. Egbert Samuels (Dominica), 2nd Vice President Mr. Shane Felix (St. Lucia), General Secretary Ms. Morella George (Trinidad & Tobago), Treasurer Mr. Ernle Fields (Barbados) and Assistant Secretary Treasurer Mr. Vachel Murrein (Montserrat).

During the General Meeting the following persons were also elected as Representatives: Ms. Melissa Bishop (Barbados), Mr. Sidney Allen (Montserrat), Mr. Compton Sparman (Guyana), Mr. Everrette Orgarro (St. Kitts/Nevis), Mr. Malcolm Christian (Dominica), Mr. Samuel Ilin (Martinique), Mr. Damian Jn Baptiste (St. Lucia), Mr. Elvis Reever (Antigua & Barbuda), and Mr. Ancel Lemissy (Trinidad &Tobago).

Mr. Nigel George (Trinidad & Tobago) and Ms. Dehola Jacobs (Guyana) have been designated Trustees of the Association.

First Ever CAFC Firefighter Challenge

The first ever CAFC Firefighter Challenge will be held at this year's annual conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica November 16 - 20, 2009. Fire Chiefs and their Deputy Chiefs in the Caribbean have been notified to start the selection process now. Trophies, medals and cash prizes to be awarded - but who will win the challenge!
The CAFC Firefight Challenge Course

The challenge course is a series of firefighting events performed by each individual competitor, designed to simulate various aspects of the daily life saving work of the firefighter.

Every competitor must be from a Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs member nation and show proof of firefighter training from their assigned Station Training Officer, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief or other such duly assigned officer. They must also sign a liability waiver form before competing. This is a time based competition for the best time. The course is run in full bunker gear and filled SCBA (mask on).

Notification of intent to send firefighters to compete in this year's Firefighter Challenge event in Jamaica at the CAFC November event (16 - 20) must be made by October 31, 2009.

The cash prize awards for this event totals $3,500 USD.

For more information visit: http://joincafc.org/

5th Biennial CAFF Conference Starts Tomorrow In Dominica

The Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters (CAFF) will convene its 5th Biennial Conference from October 12 - 16, 2009 in Dominica. This year's conference theme is “Redefining the Caribbean Fire Service – A New Perspective.” The host organisation will be the Dominica Fire Fighters Association.

Organised by firefighters for firefighters the biennial conference has become the focal point for the Caribbean firefighter. CAFF 2009 will bring together regional fire service personnel and other industry professionals over a five day period.

Apart from the business meetings and workshop sessions, conference delegates can also look forward to several social and recreational activities during the conference including a scenic island tour, football match and a cultural evening.

Three Businesses Destroyed In Regent Street Fire

Pandemonium broke out on Regent Street last evening when a fire, believed to be electrical in origin, destroyed three businesses.

There was a blackout in the area, and eye-witnesses say that when power was restored around 17:00h, some power lines burst into flames and the fire leapt on to the Household Electronics building. At the end of it all, it was estimated that millions of dollars had gone up in smoke.

The gutted buildings are Household Electronics, which sold clothing and household appliances, their storage bond behind, which also housed a pet shop, and DM Beauty World Store, the cosmetic store.

Within half hour the fire had raged out of control as the Guyana Fire Service tried desperately to control the flames, fuelled by perfumes and other chemical substances from DM Beauty World Store.

The conflagration started at Household Electronics Store and quickly engulfed the entire building, and then it spread to the bond building behind it and the next door store, DM Beauty World.

New Equipment For Fire Service

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) yesterday received three water tenders, one water carrier and one Land Rover from Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee.

The handing over took place at the National Park, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, following a drill display, and coincides with Fire Prevention Week, with the theme: “Fire Prevention needs everyone attention”.

Minister Clement Rohee, in brief remarks, told the gathering that the administration recognizes the work of the GFS and is seeking to retool the entity and enhance its capacity.

The minister pointed out too that as part of the Ministry of Home Affairs strategic plan for the GFS, several new facilities units have been constructed countrywide, and these will be equipped.

He said the current expansion programme saw the construction of a new fire station at Bartica in Essequibo and Rose Hall, Berbice.

Rohee added that the government of Guyana has made $318M available to boost GFS mechanisms, even more so to deal with the current El Niño weather pattern.

He said that new appliances are expected shortly, including one for the aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CIJA).

Rohee pointed out that with the newer appliances, the GFS will eventually reduce the loss of lives and damage to property in fire fighting.

Meanwhile, the Fire Chief, Marlon Gentle expressed gratitude to the Ministry for the timely gift.

Mr. Gentle noted too that new emergency vehicles will be added to Regions Two, Three Seven and Ten.

People 'Eager To Join Fire Service'

The Barbados Fire Service may be experiencing a manpower drain but it is flooded with applications from people eager to join the service.

Acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox told the DAILY NATION that it was proving to be a challenge to respond to the many applications which they receive almost on a daily basis.

"We are bombarded . . . actually swamped. There is no shortage of people who want to join the service and our civilian staff are hardpressed to acknowledge all of the applications," he said.

Only last Friday, Cox lamented that the service had lost five senior officers in the last 15 months and this had led to a gap in experience in the department.

But he said both men and women were lining up to join the service and he expected that some would be hired when the new fire station at Six Roads, St Philip, was built.

However, it seems that temporary fire officers are peeved that four years after joining the service they are still acting.

The officers complained that they were told after their recruitment that they would be appointed but up to now they have heard nothing.

Cox confirmed that there were a number of officers in temporary positions but he said that appointments will be made in due course.

President of the Fire Officers Association, Clarence Hinds, said a number of the temporary officers had complained to the association about their status. He said this was a recent development for the Fire Service and he attributed it to changes in Public Service legislation.

However, he pointed out that the association had received word that Services Commission, which makes the appointments, was dealing with the matter.

Hinds also confirmed that there was a growing attraction to the Fire Service and he said this usually started with children as young as 12 years old.

He said he did not know if it was the tough economic times which was leading to the service being inundated with applicants. (MB)

Manpower Drain Concern For Fire Chief

The "constant depletion" of human resources is of concern to the Barbados Fire Service.

Speaking at the Chief Fire Officer's Parade and Awards Ceremony at the Arch Hall Station, St Thomas, yesterday, Acting Chief Fire Officer Randolph Cox said the service had lost five senior officers in the last 15 months due to retirement.

"In addition to the senior officers and the failure to fill noted vacancies, the departure of these officers has left a gap in experience in the department and a deficit in the human resources," Cox said

The five who retired had 200 years of combined service between them.

He was referring to Chesterfield Mayers, Anthony Blackman, Eric Rice, Patrick Blackman and Wilfred Moseley who all received gifts in recognition of their service.

"The deficit of experience will have an impact on the overall organisation especially in the area of management, since the fire fighting experience that these officers have left with cannot be obtained overnight," he said.

Even though he expressed the department's concerns about the situation and the fact that the "shortage is having an adverse effect on the smooth operations of the department", Cox said the officers had risen to the task.

The acting chief also used the opportunity to encourage the officers to be disciplined and maintain high standards at all times.


"I want to remind you, that the discipline of the Barbados Fire Service must be maintained by personnel at all times whether off [or] on duty. The administration of the department will not condone any acts of indiscipline by any officer," he warned.

In addition to acknowledging the contributions of the five senior officers a number of officers and junior cadets also received prizes for various things.

Among them were cadets Kyle Hamblin and Dario Blackman who took the Instructor's Trophy and Most Improved respectively. (YB)