Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/1767/-1/135/
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NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE FOR ANGUILLA Fire Chief Already Appointed
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Plans are under consideration in Anguilla for the establishment of a Joint Fire Service with domestic and airport components. The aim is to create a new Government department and to identify its organisational structure, staffing requirements and training needs.
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The present Fire Shed at Wallblake Airport
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At present there is only a basic fire service on the island particularly geared to airport safety and grossly inadequate for domestic protection. The intention is to address this situation to provide for the optimum operation of the joint fire services over the next three years.
A Chief Fire Officer in the person of Horace Archie, who has 30 years working experience in the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services, has been seconded to Anguilla to develop the joint project over the three years. In the interim, one of his early outputs is the creation of a development plan. The Governor’s Office is funding Mr. Archie’s remuneration and international travel, while housing and other benefits are the responsibility of the Anguilla Government.
According to the project document, it is essential that personnel be trained to the required standards of a professional fire service operation. Some training needs and sources of delivery have already been identified with the appointment of a local retired fireman as interim trainer.
There will be a need for new legislation for the fire services. It has been noted that aspects of fire safety have already been included in the Anguilla Building Code. However, due to the absence of a dedicated fire service, it is not possible to enforce them. The proposed legislation is expected to complement the elements of fire safety as it relates to the building code and the Hotel Licencing Regulations and will form part of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Legislation.
In order to accommodate the Joint Fire Services, officers in the Department of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing have prepared design plans for the extension of the Airport Fire Shed. The plans are for two additional vehicle bays, office accommodation, training rooms and storage facilities estimated to cost in the region of EC$400,000. The plans will not be finalised, however, until they are reviewed by the Chief Fire Officer.
Meanwhile, a fire safety vehicle has been ordered for the domestic side of the service and should arrive on the island by the end of the year. It will be supported by the “Foam Boss” now used at the airport.
Other equipment required will include minor fire-fighting tools, training apparatus and vehicles for general transport.
Horace Archie
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