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/

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

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

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.