As part of the observance of October 1st as International Day of Older Persons, ANGLEC and the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, donated 200 Code One smoke detectors to Senior Citizens. Receiving the detectors on behalf of the elderly, was Mrs. Mona Fleming, President of the Anguilla Retired Persons Association (ARPA).
This year, the theme for International Day of Older Persons is “Pandemics: Do they Change? How we Address Age and Aging?”. According to the Minister of Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, “Older persons must be recognised for their ownership and contributions to their own health in a COVID-19 environment. They must be given access to the tools needed to empower themselves to beat COVID-19 and any future pandemic that may affect our global village.”
Within the same vein of empowering the elderly against tragedies, the Minister was grateful to ANGLEC and the Fire Department for contributing the smoke detectors that would help to keep the senior citizens safe. On behalf of the Ministry, she expressed thanks to both entities for their benevolent interest in making an effort to keep older persons safe.
In recognizing these contributions, given on the occasion of International Day of Older Persons, the Minister said: “Happy National Day of the Elderly! The Ministry of Education and Social Development is happy to support the Fire Department and ANGLEC, the sponsors of these smoke alarms which will be installed in the homes of the elderly. The Ministry heartily appreciates this generous gesture.”
Mrs. Jemila Morson Hodge, Public Relations Officer of ANGLEC, remarked: “In 2019 the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service and ANGLEC partnered together in order to secure 200 smoke detectors for the elderly in Anguilla. This year, the Ministry of Education and Social Development has joined our ongoing effort, and we are pleased to extend more services to those in need. The Anguilla Electricity Company is very excited about this initiative which has been in existence for over a year now, and we are committed to ensuring that all the elderly, who are in need of these devices, get them.”
Leading Fire Fighter, Omari Bourne, reflected: “A total of 100 smoke detectors were procured last year by ANGLEC. This number was matched by the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service through a “Fill the Boot Campaign”. This campaign comprised old, restored fire-boots — placed at strategic places of business — in which persons deposited donations to aid the fire department in ventures such as these for the community. We are pleased that through the collaborative efforts of ANGLEC and the Ministry of Education and Social Development we are able to handover these smoke detectors to the elderly.”
Mr. Bourne mentioned that there was an ongoing drive by the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service to outfit all the homes of elderly persons over the age of sixty-five with similar smoke detectors in the future.
In accepting the detectors, Mrs. Mona Fleming stated: “I wish to express my appreciation, on behalf of ARPA and the other seniors for such a thoughtful donation. ANGLEC and the Fire Department are committed to install these smoke detectors, and we are indeed grateful. We also thank the Ministry of Social Services for its kind support.”
