The Anguilla Government has set out to establish a modern fire and rescue service as a priority. The move takes into account the rapid pace of economic development, the need to maintain the response requirement of a Category 5 Wallblake Airport and, generally, the need to have an overall professional and fully-functional fire service for the island.

The new fire engine on the parking lot at Wallblake Airport

A first step in this direction was the handing over on Monday, August 30, of a new and highly efficient fire engine by Governor Alan Huckle to Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Utilities, Kenneth Harrigan. The firefighting vehicle, a gift to Anguilla under the UK Good Government Fund, will be used for the island’s domestic fire service in conjunction with the airport fire service, thus providing, in the words of the Governor, “an essential emergency service to the community in Anguilla.”

Government officials at the handing over ceremony

The purchase and delivery of the fire truck at a cost of EC$890,000 along with the 2-year secondment of Chief Fire Officer Horace Archie (at about EC$65,000 a year), was described by the Governor as “a major financial commitment” to Anguilla. Mr. Archie, a Trinidadian, has been in Anguilla from 2004. The presentation of the fire tender came as the Government, through the Governor’s Office, issued a White Paper – a Policy Statement on the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service, details of which are published elsewhere in The Anguillian.

Governor Huckle hands keys to Hon. Kenneth Harrigan

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Governor Huckle said Anguilla needed a fully-trained and professional fire service that could respond promptly to emergencies and serve as part of the national response capability. “The rapid pace of economic development here makes this a priority. The growing sophistication of our tourism infrastructure demands a modern fire and rescue service,” he stated.

L-R: Conway Hughes, Carl Glasgow, Donavan Bryan, Shondell Hodge and Junie Fleming

He acknowledged that Mr. Archie had done much of the essential groundwork to gain the Government’s agreement to establish a joint fire and rescue service. He disclosed that the Executive Council had already agreed to the early recruitment of additional fire officers to bring the Joint Fire and Rescue Service to a total establishment of 48 staff including the Fire Chief. He said funds had been allocated for their recruitment and temporary accommodation at the existing premises at the airport, while design plans were being drawn for a new joint fire station across the runway. Funds have also been set aside to refurbish the old ANGLOCO fire engine to provide back up support.

Governor Huckle delivering address

Governor Huckle continued: “Work is already in hand to draft new comprehensive fire safety legislation which will consolidate and enhance our fire safety rules, particularly in our Building Regulations. A modern society requires that all Government and commercial buildings should have adequate fire safety equipment, including emergency signs and smoke/fire alarms. New commercial developments of a certain size in Anguilla should also ensure that there are sprinkler systems and ready access to water supplies for the emergency services to assist in putting out fires.” Mr. Huckle noted that it was possible for the new fire truck to use sea water in its operations as part of its fire extinguishing capabilities.

Internal sections of truck

He added: “This new fire and rescue service should provide an exciting career opportunity for young Anguillians who want to serve the community…It will also be an important part our national disaster response capability, responding alongside the police and emergency medical services, when appropriate, to assist in containing an emergency.”

Internal sections of truck

Minister of Infrastructure and Communications, Mr. Harrigan, said the vehicle was an important step in the Government’s efforts to improve the domestic fire service. He stated that for the time being eight additional fire officers would be employed as plans continued for a new Fire Department and later on a new fire station.

Mr. Harrigan was grateful for the financial and technical role which the UK Government, through the Governor’s Office, was playing, describing it as “a real example of partnership.” He particularly thanked Mr. Huckle for the thoughtful way he was using the Good Government Fund to assist the people of Anguilla and looked forward for more assistance in the development of the fire and rescue service.
The Minister expressed the Government’s thanks and appreciation to Mr. Archie and his staff for their hard work in improving the fire service. He assured them that the Government would support their efforts to provide a fire service of which the island would be proud.

“We now have four functional fire engines – two for domestic use and the other two for the airport….They must function properly if we are going to save lives and property,” Mr. Harrigan told the Fire Chief. “I want you and your staff to always remember that the Government and the people of Anguilla are depending on you to protect us from fire.”

Mr. Archie spoke about the capabilities of the new fire engine which he said ranked among the best in the Caribbean region. It is equipped with a water tank which has a capacity of 4,500 litres. The appliance mounted pump carries the four deliveries which can be operated together maintaining a good pressure at all times. A portable pump is included which would enable water to be pumped from cisterns, swimming pools or the sea. Foam making equipment is also included to deal with fires involving inflammable liquids. A portable generator makes it possible for lights to be provided on the vehicle and to operate power tools during accidents or a rescue. Mr. Archie said that later on some technical personnel from the manufacturers will be coming to Anguilla to carry out training and the commissioning of the fire truck.

Those at the handing over ceremony included Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, Parliamentary Secretary, Albert Hughes, Commissioner of Police, Keithly Benjamin and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communications, Kenn Banks, w ho chaired the proceedings.

Following the ceremony, fire officers drove the vehicle through various parts of the island, giving members of the public an opportunity to see it.

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