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)

Barbados Fire Service Marks 54 Years

The Barbados Fire Service marks 54 years of ardent assistance to the nation with renewed commitment to “build and maintain relationships within our community”.

Vows from the men and women of the fire service will be made during a 9:45 a.m. thanksgiving service today Sunday, September 27, at the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church on Tudor Bridge in St. Michael.

Acting Prime Minister, Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs the Honourable Freundel Stuart will address the congregation and take the salute at the parade following the church service.

At 10 a.m. on Monday, a memorial service at Probyn Street Headquarters, Bridgetown will honour fallen firefighters.

During the week, celebrations will centre on fire-readiness, fire-fighting, fire prevention and community relations proficiency in the interaction between the public and the Barbados Fire Service.

Activities will peak with Fire Officers’ Professional Day, a team-building programme, at Higher Heights in St. Joseph on Wednesday and the Chief Fire Officer’s Parade and Awards Ceremony at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 2, at the Arch Hall Fire Station, Arch Hall, St.Thomas.

The annual family-fire-fair brings down the curtain on the activities from 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, at headquarters. Attractions include special video presentations, tours of fire trucks, jumping tent, face painting and lucky dip.

Randolph Cox Is The New Acting Fire Chief

Randolph Cox has been named the new acting Chief Fire Officer of the Barbados Fire Service (BFS). Cox took over from last Tuesday and is now in charge of a staff of nearly 244 uniformed officers and approximately 24 civilian support personnel.

A member of the fire department since 1973, Cox had been serving as Divisional Officer for the last few years. He succeeds Anthony Blackman, who was acting fire chief before retiring on August 28, 2009 and Eric Rice, who became interim chief immediately after.

The Barbados Fire Service operates from six stations and protects a population of 265,000. Its annual call volume is just over 2,000 fire calls.

Three Dead As St Jude’s Goes Up In Smoke

Three people are dead following an early morning blaze that left the entire Surgical Ward of the St Jude’s Hospital in St Lucia ablaze. Residents of the Vieux Fort and Laborie area reported hearing loud explosions between 12:30 and 1am, that shook their houses. Reports are that several residents were on the scene helping to remove patients from the burning building which also houses the Pediatric Ward. Two men died in the St Jude’s Hospital while another died en route to the Victoria Hospital in Castries. Seriously injured patients were transferred to the Victoria Hospital in Castries and other hospitals around St Lucia while others were housed at the nearby Vieux Fort Comprehensive School.

The Prime Minister of St Lucia, who was at the Vieux Fort school held an emergency meeting with the fire service, the police and medical professionals before holding a press conference where he called on St Lucians to do all in their power to help those affected and to bear with the medical fraternity whose resources will be strained in this difficult time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Source: http://stluciastar.com

Barbados Fire Service Celebrates Its 54th Anniversary

The Barbados Fire Service (BFS) will commence celebrations for its annual Week of Activities with a Thanksgiving Service at the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church, Tudor Bridge, St. Michael on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

The Department will be celebrating its 54th Anniversary this year. During the week, the Fire Service has planned a number of events and is throwing open its doors to public visits at its Probyn Street headquarters, the Worthing, Arch Hall, St. James and St. John fire stations.

The week climaxes with a Family-Fire-Fair on Saturday, October 3 from 11:00 a.m. at Fire Service Headquarters, Probyn Street, Bridgetown. This event will feature special fire-fighting video presentations, tours of the fire station, jumping tent, lucky dip, face painting and the new rescue tender.

Source: http://bajanfirefighters.blogspot.com

Acting Fire Chief Anthony Blackman Retires

Acting Chief Fire Officer Anthony Blackman has retired after 41 years in the Barbados Fire Service. Blackman began his career with the Fire Service in 1968, and spent his last day on the job on Friday, August 28, 2009.

He became the acting Chief Fire Officer in 2008 after former Fire Chief Chesterfield Mayers retired from service. Blackman met with several members of staff on Thursday and conveyed his parting greetings and best wishes for the service.

Eric Rice will be acting as Chief Fire Officer with Randolph Cox acting as Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

Source: http://bajanfirefighters.blogspot.com

Fire and Ambulance Services Division Hosts Training In Search And Rescue Operations

Efforts are being made to sharpen the skills of officers of the Fire and Ambulance Services Division. The officers began training in search and rescue techniques on Monday, 10th August, 2009 at the Public Service Union building.

The activity is being facilitated by representatives of the International Fire Training Force, IFTF. According to Chief Fire Officer, Josiah Dupuis, the training came about as a result of data collected over several years but is the brainchild of fire officer, Malcolm Christian.

“We have seen that, over the years and particularly in the last ten (10) years, probably a little more than that, we have seen how important the function of search and rescue is. Particularly so, where we look at the use of the ambulance itself, how important it is vis-à-vis our functions as fire officers. When your data suggest that at least ninety-five percent (95%) of all your calls involve skills related to search and rescue, I think that the writing is certainly on the wall and it behoves that particular agency to do any and everything thing which it must do or can do to improve its capacity in that particular function.”

Chief Personnel Officer, Irma Edwards, in delivering brief remarks at the opening ceremony, commended the officers for the initiative taken in seeking to enhance their skills and ultimately their job.

“It is my understanding that more and more you are being called upon to undertake search and rescue operations and hence this training has been in response to the growing need for particular skills and expertise. I, therefore, commend you very highly for the initiative taken in ensuring that you confront the challenges of your work from a position of strength that only knowledge, skills and competency can afford.”

President of the International Fire Training Force, Patrick Mc Dermott, encouraged participants to participate fully in the training exercises.

“For about, let us say, the past fifteen (15) to twenty (20) years, there has been some cutting edge things happening in public safety especially with the fire department. We are finding now that fires are decreasing while emergency medical services are increasing along with technical rescues: water rescue, collapse rescue, hazmat, bombings and terrorism; these things are on the rise.

What we are finding now that information, as the chief said, is the key. Knowledge for changing incidents, knowledge on how to adapt to and how to mitigate these incidents is key to succeeding in your job. You have to grasp the opportunity, you have to grasp the knowledge, and you have to pick our brains while we are here this week.”

Mr. Mc Dermott told the officers that in light of advance and more technical challenges involved in search and rescue operations that it is important to adopt new measures to help meet those challenges.

“Information and communication provides a catalyst that will move you into the next state of your training and more technical training. Look at the cutting edge things you have in front of you: your fire brigade, your community. These are the cutting edge things that you should employ and work together with. You have to adapt to the new challenges ahead of you, for example, Dominica is a tourist destination and it can be a soft target for terrorism. You do not have enough man power to meet those kinds of incidents. We do not have that kind of man power either in Chicago. But we have to train the community in what we call ‘Community Emergency Response Training.’ I say so because eighty percent (80%) of the victims that are saved at any disaster are saved by the first respondents, members of the community and if we can train them in First Aid, CPR, light rescue then we can be confident that a lot much can be done by the time you arrive.”

The training is expected to run for the entire week and will include water search and rescue.

Junior Fire Officers Leadership Academy Ends In Saint Lucia

Twenty junior fire officers are now more equipped to execute their duties more efficiently within the Saint Lucia Fire Service, after completing the inaugural Junior Officer Leader Academy in Leadership and Incident Command.

The one week academy which was also attended by fire officers from St. Croix, BVI, Montserrat, and Dominica, ended in Saint Lucia on Friday with a special graduation.

Speaking at the ceremony Home Affairs Minister Senator Hon. Guy Mayers called on the participants to utilise the lessons learnt to foster positive change within the respective organisations.

“Knowledge gained and not used is useless so I'm hoping that you will not just hold this information to yourself but you will share it with your colleagues so that at the end of the day you can provide a better service as fire fighters within your respective organisations,” said Home Affairs Minister Senator Hon. Guy Mayers.

The Junior Officers Leadership Academy was designed to prepare the fire fighters to provide a more efficient and professional service to Caribbean people, whenever they are called upon.

Saint Lucia's Chief Fire Officer, Mr Leslie Fontenelle, is confident that the training in Leadership and Incident Command, will redound to the futuristic development of the Fire Services across the Caribbean.

“In this training programme, I believe that we have created a platform where we can better appreciate the processes that obtain with fire departments and how critical they are to our success as organisations. With this appreciation, we can now begin to assess the future development of such organisations and develop new strategies to lead them in this changing environment,” Mr. Fontenelle added.

The Junior Officers Leadership Academy was conducted by the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs.

A similar programme for senior fire officers is being developed and is expected to be unveiled in coming months.

Funeral Service Tomorrow For Former Fire Chief

The Caribbean Fire Service fraternity will gather tomorrow on the island of Dominica in a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Julien Baptiste former Chief Fire Officer of the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Service.

The Dominican Fire Service family was in a state of mourning after being informed of Baptiste’s death on April 18, 2009. Baptiste reportedly died in Cuba where he was receiving medical treatment for an ailing kidney condition.

We take this opportunity to extend our sincere condolences and prayers to the family of Fire Chief Baptiste and the entire Dominica Fire and Ambulance Service.

Source: www.bajanfirefighters.blogspot.com

24 New Fire Trucks Commissioned

The T&T Fire Service received 24 vehicles and appliances and other fire fighting equipment yesterday. But although the arrival of the vehicles came just one week away from the start of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, they had no connection with the summit, says Minister in the Ministry of National Security Donna Cox. The commissioning of the new vehicles and equipment took place yesterday at Fire Services Headquarters, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. Cox could not give a costing for the vehicles and equipment.

“Actually, this was running a long time ago, but we didn’t get the vehicles right away because we had to order them from specific locations,” Cox said. She said the new appliances and vehicles should improve the response time and efficiency of the Fire Service. “The commissioning of the new appliances and vehicles represents Government’s intention to comprehensively ensure that the nation’s fire fighters have modern equipment to provide efficient and professional service to the nation,” she added. She said it was also Government’s intention that by 2010 it would have made major strides in modernising and upgrading the Fire Service.

Included in this modernising plan, she said, would be the construction and refurbishment of several fire stations. “Stations at Rio Claro, Mon Repos, Princes Town, Siparia, Point Fortin, Woodbrook, Four Roads, Tunapuna, Chaguaramas, Arouca, Wrightson Road and Lady Hailes, San Fernando, are currently in the design and review stage,” she said. She said the Couva South and Sangre Grande Fire Stations had already been completed and were being refurbished and equipped before being commissioned. The Piarco Fire Station, she said, would be soon occupied.

The new vehicles and equipment commissioned yesterday were:
• Six water tenders
• Five water tankers
• Two Hazmat vehicles
• One emergency tenders
• One hose laying lorry
• One car carrier (flat bed wrecker)
• Four passenger buses
• Two double cab light trucks
• Six high pressure portable pumps.

Source: http://guardian.co.tt/

New Fire Service Headquarters At Advanced Stage

The Minister for Home Affairs and National Security has been updating the nation on ongoing works on the site which will soon house the operations of the Saint Lucia Fire and Emergency Services.

Honourable Guy Mayers says government is spending a ‘pretty penny’ on the former Coconut Growers Association property, now being modified to suit the functions of the Saint Lucia Fire and Emergency Services. The minister says relief is on the way.

"There have been a number of setbacks with that project but I am pleased to announce that we’ve finally gotten over these hurdles and work is going on in earnest to complete the facility,” Senator Mayers said.

Work on the site began last year after a visit from the Planning Division to the proposed location along with fire service and ministry representatives. Minister Mayers has empathized with the plight of the fire service men and women, who have had to undergo an extended wait for their new headquarters.

"Again similarly to the police, the old Central Fire Service Headquarters was damaged as a result of the earthquake in 2007, and we had to spread the operations of the management of the fire service at two different locations. The appliances are currently housed at the La Toc Police Training Centre.”

Government was able to lease the site after a tedious search for a suitable location. The new facility is expected to be ready by mid-year.

Early Morning City Fire Ravages Two Homes

Residents of Spruce Street, The City, awoke to find two homes in their neighbourhood engulfed in flames early yesterday morning. The fire completely destroyed an unoccupied house and extensively damaged another before fire officers could contain the blaze.

Ten officers with two fire tenders from Fire Service Headquarters under the command of Divisional Officer Lloydson Phillips and Station Officer Evans Morris attended the incident.

Two persons were reported to be displaced as a result of yesterday’s blaze.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing.

Source: www.bajanfirefighters.blogspot.com

East Dry River Fire Leaves Dad Of 3 Homeless

FIRE of unknown origin yesterday gutted a house in East Dry River, Port-of-Spain leaving a 47-year-old father of three homeless and over $125,000 in losses.

Gerald Jacob said he left his Fromager Street, East Dry River home at about 7.45 am and headed to his workplace which is located not too far from his home. Two hours later, he saw smoke and decided to see what was going on.

“It was then that I got a call on my cellphone from a neighbour who said my house was on fire. By the time I reached home, my house was already in flames,” Jacob said. “I lost everything. Two apartments and even my little workshop with all my tools and machinery. It’s all gone.”

Jacob who said he works for the Catholic Board as a maintenance officer, said he was not too concerned as to where he would be staying because he knew he could rely on family and even friends for lodgings. What worries him is finance to rebuild.

“I hope I can pick myself up here and move on. But I know financially that is going to be one of the hardest things I will come across. Is 20 years now I living here. I would have to seek assistance to have the place rebuilt.”

The fire from Jacob’s home spread to one of his neighbour’s houses and caused severe damage to the upper storey and the western end of the building.

Fire officials said their response was hampered because their trucks were unable to reach the burning house because of the narrow roads. In the end, they had to link two hoses to reach the house. Investigations are continuing.

Source: www.newsday.co.tt

Quick Thinking Prevents Major Linden Fire

A fine `busing’ prevented a small fire at the Krescent Mall at Mackenzie, Linden from ending up as a major catastrophe yesterday.

No one believed Kevin Baron when he ran into the mall and admonished them to evacuate. “Twice, I calmly told everyone that there was a fire and that they should evacuate but no one took me seriously I had to put on deh ghetto style and say deh #$%^% building on fire,” he told Stabroek News. It was at that point he said persons took him seriously and rushed to secure their shops before evacuating. No one was injured.

Baron is one of the store owners and he was at his music shop some distance away when a man told him that there was a fire at the mall. “Well I know I got massive investments in my business there. I grabbed my slippers and ran over to the store,” he said.

One tenant told Stabroek News that she had just returned from the secondary school costume competition and was in her ice-cream shop. “We smell dis strong smoke but thought it was some heap burning on the outside of the building,” she said. But she became concerned when she noticed smoke engulfing the building and consistent irregular crackling sounds coming from the ceiling. The fire was discovered when she went outside and noticed heavy smoke streaming out of the ceiling of the bottom floor. Others also became very confused when they saw heavy smoke engulfing the building.

A man who was doing some work on the inside of the build yesterday said he noticed heavy sparks coming out of electrical outlets.

Others on the bottom flat of the two-storey building said that they were forced to constantly change light bulbs since they blew frequently.

Firefighters had to break open the concrete casing of the outer section of the building where the fire was in order to put out the flames.

All feared the worst had the fire broken out at night, when no one was in the building.

Tenants of the mall were high in their praise for the quick response of the Linden firefighters.e mall, managed by Reginald Sancho and partners, houses approximately thirty tenants. He could not be reached for comment.

Source: www.stabroeknews.com