Firefighters from the Princes Town fire station have been relocated to the Rio Claro and Penal fire stations due to safety concerns surrounding their deteriorating living quarters. Chief Fire Officer Arnold Bristo explained that this move was necessary to ensure that the officers can continue to effectively serve the Princes Town area and its surroundings.
President of the Fire Service Association, Keone Guy, expressed his approval of this decision, citing the long-standing neglect of the Princes Town fire station as the root of its current state of disrepair and rodent infestation. Guy revealed that the Ministry of National Security and the chain of command had been made aware of the situation since December 2023.
Concerns were raised after the Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) flagged 26 deficiencies during an inspection at the station seven months ago. The Ministry of National Security was given 21 days to address these issues, which were left unattended. Guy warned that if OSHA were to revisit the station now, they would likely uncover even more deficiencies.
The deteriorating conditions at the Princes Town fire station have led to officers refusing to use the facility, with a recent threat to abandon work over the deplorable situation. Bristo assured that the station was slated for reconstruction as part of the Fire Service’s redevelopment programme, alongside the Rio Claro and Siparia fire stations.
While the process for addressing these concerns is ongoing, Princes Town MP Barry Padarath has voiced his support for the officers and their need for upgraded facilities. Padarath highlighted the lack of essential equipment like breathing apparatus and protective gear at the station and called for immediate intervention from Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds.
