NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Government of The Bahamas has made provisions during the current fiscal period for the acquisition of five new fire trucks, Minister of State for National Security, Senator Keith Bell said.
Senator Bell said the Government has allocated “substantial funding” for the construction of a state-of-the-art Fire Station in the Freeport, Grand Bahama area.
Fire Services officials are expected to take receipt of the new trucks by February, 2013. The fleet will include four (4) Pumper Trucks and one (1) Tanker. Three of the units are earmarked for New Providence, while the other two will be posted in Grand Bahama.
“The citizens of The Bahamas deserve essential fire emergency coverage (and) we are committed to maintaining an adequate and reliable level of emergency response capability,” Senator Bell said.
“Upon arrival, we expect that they will immediately be put into operation for service to our communities.”
Senator Bell said there was an immediate need to address the construction of a proper Fire Station for the Freeport area.
“Over the last several decades, a large metal, pre-fabricated building located at East Settlers Way provided working and living accommodations for Officers and Staff of that District. Unfortunately and unexpectedly in 2004, the back-to-back Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne brought an end to this landmark. The structural integrity was severely impacted and uninhabitable thereby forcing the Officers to relocate to temporary quarters in the former Mobile Division Headquarters,” Senator Bell said.
“The Government of The Bahamas is not satisfied with this state of affairs with the Fire Station in our Second City. In that regard, the Government has allocated substantial funding for the construction of a new fire station for Freeport. This will be a state-of-the-art, modern facility. Once constructed and occupied, this should serve the population of that district well into the future,” Mr. Bell added.
Senator Bell said firefighters are the heartbeat of the Fire Services.
“Without their hard work and constant efforts and commitment, the fire stations and the fleet of fire engines would be useless; our communities would be subjected to free burning fires, experience serious destruction and deaths, and become victims of vehicle collisions without receiving professional services.
“The people of The Bahamas expect a reliable level of response to incidents. These new acquisitions, the construction of the state-of-the-art Fire Station in Freeport and the ongoing training and education and awareness programmes, will all go a long way in making this happen,” Senator Bell added.
Senator Bell said the government has also given the go-ahead for the recruitment of a cadre of well-trained, energetic and capable, fire officers to address some human resource concerns.
“The Fire Officers will be recruited in this fiscal period to supplement the establishment of the Fire Services. This succession plan will make ready for the expansion and the replacement of 18 percent of the Fire Services staff who are expected to retire from active service within the next five years,” Senator Bell added.
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
