By Odette Loney Wednesday, July 22 2009

click on pic to zoom in

NEW RECRUITS: New firemen go through their drills at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, on Monday at their passing out parade. ...

FOURTEEN new fire stations are to be built as part of Government’s thrust to improve the physical and infrastructural aspects of Fire Stations in this country.

Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Donna Cox, made this revelation during the passing out ceremony for 101 new fire recruits at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Monday.

The young men, who underwent four months of intensive training, will join the ranks of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) to increase manpower to 2,463 fire officers. Cox said that the new recruits reduced the existing vacancies in the service from 158 to 57.

As a result of this Cox said new fire stations are to be constructed in areas such as San Fernando, Rio Claro, Mayaro, Arouca, Tunapuna, Four Roads, Point Fortin, Siparia, Princes Town, Belmont, Castara, Charlotteville, Black Rock and Plymouth (Tobago) to accommodate the need for manpower in the Fire Service.

Cox said the project will see improvement in the condition of existing stations.

“To ensure the adequacy and reliability of water supply systems, particularly in the Port-of-Spain area, the Fire Service will soon acquire a number of water carrying vehicles (Water on Wheels),” said Cox.

She also disclosed that during January to April, the Fire Service commissioned new appliances comprising of 11 vehicles, two Hazmat, one Emergency Tender and two Tankers, which cost $ 54 million.

Cox also boasted of updates to the service’s communications system, adding that 25 officers were trained in a Fire Investigation course which was held locally.