The Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service is gaining island-wide recognition and support for its important work on the island as its just-ended Fire Prevention Week has indicated.
The largest of the events was the Second Annual Firemens’ Ball held at DaVida’s Restaurant which opened specially for the occasion on Saturday, October 15. Many of the officers, in different categories of service, were commended and awarded for their outstanding work and other contributions.
At the head table were Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks; Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Curtis Richardson and Mrs. Susan Best-Richardson; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Larry Franklin and Mrs. Lori-Mae Alleyne-Franklin.
Mr. Richardson, the Minister of Infrastructure, with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, commended the men and women for keeping Anguilla safe. He continued: “I can say that my ministerial colleagues and I are fully committed to supporting the Fire and Rescue Service, and to providing the officers with the necessary resources to carry out their mandate and duties.
“Even in these tough economic times, we are finding the resources to complete the new Fire Hall, now under construction, and to equip that building with the necessary accommodations to enable the Fire Officers to rest and respond. I look forward to the completion of their building in early 2018, and to proudly stand with the officers – to give them the keys and to say to them ‘let us go on to greater achievements in the future.’ This Government is also seeking to equip the Fire Officers with the necessary vehicles, other equipment and tools so that they can continue to make all of us proud through their work.
“The statistics show that there is a slight increase in emergency calls involving fires, accidents, and other incidents. I would like to commend the committed and courageous men and women of the Fire and Rescue Service for the sacrifices they continue to make in trying to keep all of us safe. I would like to encourage all members of the general public to play their part by installing smoke alarms in their homes and businesses, and checking them ever so often.”
Fire Station Officer, Mr. Shondell Hodge, spoke on behalf of his colleagues. He was grateful to them for their dedication and passion to go the extra mile in fulfilling their responsibilities efficiently, safely, seamlessly and, most importantly, correctly.
Mr. Hodge said it was a big investment when a costly Fire Hall was being constructed for the officers. He went on: “We would like to thank everyone for being part of this project – including the Government of Anguilla, though the Ministry of Infrastructure; the Governor’s Office; the UK Government; the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority; Mr. Jim Buntin, our past Advisor; officials of Air Safety Support International; the Planning Department; Orchard Romney Beck & Associates; and the citizens of Anguilla who are very supportive of the work we do. When our officers spend a lot of hours away from their homes, it is important that they are given a facility that would give them the confidence and comfort they deserve. A building of this magnitude means a whole lot to us.
“In my capacity, as Fire Station Officer, I would also like to convey that the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service is very committed to the Anguillian community. We have done our very best to become more involved in this community and to be more visible to our citizens.”
Awards were presented to the fire officers by Mr. Larry Franklin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure. The presentations were as follows – Appreciation Awards: Desmond Richardson and Norrell Hodge; Most Improved Fire Fighter 2016: Kahrim Reed; Meritorious Service Award: Omarie Bourne; Awards for Devotion and Courage: Worrell Brooks, Junie Fleming, Lunsford Richardson, Lenard James, Dennis Brookes, Marlon Bryson, Tony Cary and Craig Emmanuel; Officer of the Year: Carlisle Lake; Most Outstanding Fire Fighter: Oral Auguiste; for two decades of service: Sheldon Browne.
The event was a delightful formal, but relaxed, affair with everyone expressing appreciation and commendation for the fire officers. The participation of ‘Ole Man Nunsey’, a local comedian, who chaired the event, added much entertainment to the event.
