Fire officers to get a hand

Auxiliary officers will be to lending a hand to the Barbados Fire Service (BFS) at critical points, revealed Attorney General and Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite yesterday.

He said plans had been put in place to ensure there is additional manpower and some individuals will be trained as auxiliary officers to be called upon in case of a shortage and in times of strain, particularly during the crop season when officers sometimes worked 14 and 15 hours a day.

He was speaking at a church service to commence Fire Prevention Week and the 59th anniversary of the fire service at Calvary Moravian Church on Roebuck Street.

Brathwaite praised the officers, stating that in spite of the many challenges which included decaying physical plants, equipment shortages and increased numbers of house fires, they had still lived up to their mandate.

He added that the adminstration had to find a way to get the additional resources to address the issue of aged equipment. (LK)