Chief Fire Officer hit with lawsuit

John Gilalta and Terry-Ann Evelyn, who were involved in the induction training programme at the Fire Service Training School in Chaguaramas, filed their applications on March 31, asking that Alfred be committed to serve a prison term for breaching an order issued by Madame Justice Amrika Tiwary-Reddy at the Port-of-Spain Assizes on March 16.

In a late evening exparte hearing, Madame Tiwary-Reddy had granted Gilalta and Evelyn leave to file for Judicial Review of Alfred’s decision to dismiss them. She had also ordered that Alfred’s decision to terminate the employment of both trainees be stayed until further notice.

However, Gilalta and Evelyn claimed although they were allowed back on the training compound, they were not allowed to participate in the training, nor were they allowed to sit the exam.

The duo claimed they received dismissal letters from Alfred on March 2. The letters, which were dated February 24, informed them they were being dismissed with effect from February 28 for the use of obscene language.

They were ordered to hand in all items of uniform and instructed to leave the compound immediately.

According to their application, they were not informed of the source of the allegations and were denied the opportunity to defend themselves.

Attorney Juliet Roberts-Antoine appeared for Gilalta and Evelyn. The application will be heard before Madame Tiwary-Reddy at the Hall of Justice on April 24.