The Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service, comprising 62 fire fighters and administrative staff, climaxed a week of activities on Saturday, October 19, with the distribution of awards to a number of officers, and a formal dinner and a dance at DaVida Restaurant at Crocus Bay.
The fire officers and administrative staff were accompanied by a number of invited guests and family members. The Chief Fire Officer expressed apologies on behalf of Ministers of Government (who were off island), the Governor and the Permanent Secretary who were also not in a position to attend the function.
The chairperson was Ms. Marybelle West, the main sponsor of the event and proprietress of International Wines and Spirits (IWAS). “I want to commend Officer Carlisle Lake and his team for doing such a great job in not only soliciting our sponsorship, but really in being creative and innovative in the way they worked with their contributors to make the event happen,” she stated. “I want to thank them for their level of customer service; their quick response when we, as a company, have events, for doing inspections and telling us what we need to do to ensure we have safe activities.
“The level of response that we get from the Fire Department is really above par. As a private sector representative, I wish to take this opportunity, on behalf of myself and my team, to thank and commend the Fire Department – and all the staff – for doing such an excellent job and not only for responding, but for helping us to be operational and safe.”
In welcoming the Fire Department’s staff and their guests, Mr. Carlisle Lake noted that the event had to be postponed the week before due to inclement weather conditions. “This event, the Third Annual Fire Fighters’ Ball, was normally supposed to be the ending of Fire Prevention Week from 6th – 13th October,” he explained. “During the week we had various activities such as a church service; a bicycle race; visits to the primary schools to speak to teachers and students – and to offer them some safety tips. We also had a social gathering for staff at the Fire Station, concluding with tonight’s Fire Officers Ball and Awards Ceremony.”
Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Shondell Hodge, said that the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service had undergone many changes over the past fifteen years. “Every change that we have endured was for a greater purpose. It is our successes and our failures that have led us to this prosperous destination. Ingenuity, perseverance, commitment to duty and selfless service have all contributed to the stellar development of the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service. As a goal-oriented and result-driven organization, we all know and understand that because of our people, we are constantly able to provide exceptional service to this beautiful island. When you have great individuals in your team phenomenal things can happen at organizational level such as tonight. It is up to leadership to get the best out of each person and to give them the requisite tools they need to be successful.”
Mr. Hodge thanked members of the public for their continuous support, and his team for their gallant efforts in making the occasion a memorable success.
Awards were as follows: Most Outstanding Officer: Janet Bryson; Fire Fighter of the Year: Omari Bourne; Most Outstanding Contribution: Coredo Carty and Kharim Emanuel; Most Perfect Attendance for two years: Leonard James and Susan Hodge; Most Disciplined Fire Fighter Recruits: Leonard Adams; Cokeesia Charles and Romario Richardson; and Longest serving Fire Officer for over 20 years: Kenneth Carty and Janice Hanley.
