The operation of the Fire Services can be severely hampered over the Carnival weekend as the late payment of a fuel bill to National Petroleum has led to a fuel shortage in three divisions. The shortage means firefighters may not be able to use all their appliances if major fires occur in these divisions, since they will have to ration the little diesel they have. The affected divisions are headquarters at Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Tobago.
Up to late yesterday, members of the Fire Services administration were working hard to rectify the problem but it may take a special delivery of fuel over this weekend to alleviate their woes. The T&T Guardian was told last night that some of these deliveries were made late yesterday and the problem should be rectified by today.
Fire Services Association president Leo Ramkissoon confirmed the situation yesterday at a press conference at the association’s base, Edward Street, Port-of-Spain. He said headquarters supplies the Woodbrook, Belmont and Four Roads Fire Stations with fuel while it also was reportedly low in central Trinidad.
Ramkissoon warned the problem was so severe it could hamper any situation if they were needed as it would affect the appliances they would be able to use. He said the search and rescue, fire and other fire-fighting activities would be affected. “There is a shortage of diesel. There is a problem with the non-payment with NP (National Petroleum). How are we supposed to go to the fire? Push the truck?” he asked.
Noting the problem would not be rectified by merely providing fuel for the appliances immediately, Ramkissoon said they would like to solve the problem in the long term and wanted an urgent meeting with newly-appointed Minister of National Security Carl Alfonso.
But Ramkissoon said that was not the only problem which needed to be addressed. He said there were insufficients breathing apparatus (BA) equipment for firefighters when they went out on duty. He said it was not made public but there were only four such devices available when firefighters fought last Thursday’s fire at the El Pecos restaurant, Maraval.
“It (BA) allows us to enter an atmosphere. It is as necessary to us as bulletproof vests are to the police,” he noted. He said without those devices firefighters eventually suffered from severe health problems due to the inhalation of smoke and burning chemicals that could even lead to death. Ramkissoon said in the event that any of the 135 high-rise buildings across the country had a fire the service could not efficiently perform its duty.
In addition to the problems with equipment, Ramkissoon said firefighters also were disgruntled over their outstanding negotiations.
Fire chief responds
Contacted yesterday, Chief Fire Officer Nyar Rampersad said they were rationing the fuel and only going on critical emergencies. He said requests had been made to NP but they were unable to get the fuel. Rampersad said the bills were paid but they were experiencing problems with delivery. “In Tobago, we used the money from the Benevolent Fund to buy the fuel. We are getting a lot of problems with the delivery of fuel,” he said.
Also contacted yesterday, National Security Minister Carl Alfonso said he would be corresponding with members of the Fire Services to investigate the problem. In a phone interview, Alfonso said he had still not yet met with members of the service since taking office.
“I am looking forward to meeting with them. I have not officially met with them or the association. The issue sounds like a money issue. I will call them and be looking into the problem,” he added. Alfonso also praised the quick response of the firefighters at the El Pecos fire last week Thursday.