Chin Lee: Nine fire stations coming

Minister of National Security, Howard Chin Lee, announced his Ministry was building new fire stations to upgrade the Fire Service to meet the increasing demands made on it. He was addressing the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service Passing Out Parade for 2003 yesterday at the Heliport, Chaguaramas. Chin Lee said: “Construction work on two new fire stations at Sangre Grande and Piarco is nearing completion and plans are being finalised for the acquisition of land for the construction of nine fire stations to be located in Central, South and East Trinidad, and a new headquarters for Tobago.” He added that the Service would soon acquire a hose-laying lorry, a recovery fire rescue vehicle and a water tender. He revealed that because this year had seen the most intense dry season on record, the Fire Service had responded to 4,000 calls for assistance. Noting the Fire Service was now playing an expanded role, Chin Lee said: “No longer are its responsibilities confined to performing duties directly related to preventing and fighting fires, but entail assisting victims of vehicular accidents and natural disasters, responding to medical emergencies, and dealing with medical disasters.”