Memories of fires in 1990

THE EDITOR: In defence of the Chief of the Fire Brigade, I want to remind the people of TT that in 1990 when the citizens of Port-of-Spain “burnt down” much of the stores in the city centre the position with the appliances and equipment was worse than what it is now; but the water situation was 95 percent efficient then thereby, the firemen were able to perform commendably in the circumstances. Notwithstanding that they (firemen) worked under police protection.

The chief fire officer never responded at any of the incidents. (He was on vacation). The acting chief fire officer did not respond for duty in Port-of-Spain until mid-day of the following day when most of the stores were already burnt. The present Chief Fire Officer was third in command of the Fire Services at the time. It was the former chief fire officer and the present Chief Fire Officer who managed all firefighting operations at that time. The government gave the Fire Service a national award for its role in saving the city of Port-of-Spain. If heads did not roll at that time, why should any heads roll now. As the ‘‘I’’ man that he is, leave him alone. As indicated by the media he leaves office in the year 2006.

THOMAS METCAFFE
Pt Cumana