Firefighters' concerns to be addressed

UPDATE:

A surreptitious work-to-rule protest by disgruntled fire officers at Wrightson Road over non-functioning aircondition units at dormitories were averted on Tuesday when National Security Minister Stuart Young intervened.

Young ordered Permanent Secretary Vel Lewis to meet with Fire Services Association president Leo Ramkissoon and executive members.

During the meeting Ramkissoon raised a series of problems and Lewis agreed to visit the Wrightson Road dormitories for a first-hand look.

Ramkissoon during the massive earthquake in August, several parts of the dormitory ceilings fell and the only working aircondition unit stopped functioning. He said in total there are nine non-functional units at the male dormitory and officers have been having a difficult time in the hot environment there. There is no proper ventilation since the windows cannot open.

Ramkissoon said the female dormitories also have a number of issues to be addressed urgently.
Newsday was also told that equipment used by fire officers is kept in the dormitory and officers are exposed to chemicals.

The Ministry of National Security has set out a plan to address the concerns and is now taking steps to repair the units and also refurbish fire trucks. Ramkissoon also said Fire Officers die earlier than any other officers such as police and army after retiring.

“We are burying fires officers shortly after they retire and we need to address the health of fire officers as a priority,” he said. “Our only concern is that the Ministry of Finance, in our view, needs to prioritise the financial needs of National Security to maintain the fire service.” He said the Ministry of National Security did not seem to be getting the allocations needed to effect all the repairs needed in quick time.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A surreptitious work-to-rule protest by disgruntled fire officers at Wrightson Road over non-functioning aircondition units at dormitories were averted on Tuesday when National Security Minister Stuart Young intervened.

Young ordered Permanent Secretary Vel Lewis to meet with Fire Services Association president Leo Ramkissoon and executive members.

During the meeting Ramkissoon raised a series of problems and Lewis agreed to visit the Wrightson Road dormitories for a first-hand look.

Ramkissoon during the massive earthquake in August ,several parts of the dormitory ceilings fell and the only working aircondition unit stopped functioning.