[UPDATED] Hinds: No lack of equipment at Point Fortin Fire Station

NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says there is no truth to claims by by Fire Service Association president Keone Guy that the new Point Fortin Fire Station lacks essential firefighting equipment.

Hinds made this statement in response to a question from Opposition Senator Wade Mark in the Senate on April 22.

The station, which was built under the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (Udecott)  will be opened on April 23. Hinds is listed as delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony at 10 am.

The Prime Minister is the line minister for Udecott.

Hinds said, “When persons, especially agents, officials of the State, go out into the public domain and issue reckless, unfounded and therefore irresponsible comments. When they appear to derive warped pleasure from spreading bad tidings, rumor-mongering, it traumatises the society.”

He added, “It leaves people to feel unprotected and vulnerable, quite unneccesarily.” Hinds claimed Mark was traumatised.

“He is here speaking about contingencies. We open the station tomorrow.

“Rather than celebrating in Trinidad and Tobago, we are here talking about something that does not exist.”

Hinds said elderly people describe such behaviour as “being a bit previous.”

He added, “I give the assurance that tomorrow (April 23) the station would be opened and all of the fears and unfounded, misgivings of the senator (Mark) and  those who inspired him will be laid to rest.

Government senators thumped their desks in support of Hinds’ statements.

Mark asked Hinds if he was saying that Guy was generating and spreading false propaganda “as it relates to his statement which was publicly recorded in the newspapers on the matter of the absence at the material time of firefighting equipment and apparatus at the Point Fortin Fire Station.”

Hinds said, “The individual to whom the senator made reference is not here to defend himself. We are here in the Parliament and I’m dealing with a question from the senator (Mark).”

He reiterated that Mark “allowed himself to be misguided as I described it.”

Hinds said Mark was “disgruntled, crotchety and complaining about something that does not exist.” Government senators thumped their desks again in support of Hinds.

Mark asked Hinds to confirm or deny whether or not the essential firefighting equipment needed at the Point Fortin Fire Station will be there when it opens on April 23.

Hinds said, “As I indicated earlier, the senator was being previous.

“He must wait. He must drink his porridge cool. Sip it. The opening is imminent. In fact, tomorrow.”

Hinds reiterated,”I give the assurance that his unfounded fears, his frothing, will all be laid to rest tomorrow. Let him be patient.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds has dismissed claims by Fire Service Association president Keone Guy that the new Point Fortin Fire Station lacks essential firefighting equipment.

Hinds was responding to a question from Opposition Senator Wade Mark in the Senate on April 22.

He said when the station is opened on April 23, all of these unfounded fears would be put to rest.

Hinds said it was unfortunate when people in authority make reckless statements which unnecessarily traumatise people.

He claimed that Mark was one such person and described his question as "previous."

Hinds advised Mark to drink his porridge when it is cool and wait for the station to open.