Scarborough fire officers back 'home' for Xmas

Eighteen months after it was damaged by fire, repair work on the Scarborough Fire Station is 50 per cent complete. On Wednesday, project manager and public relations officer David Thomas told Newsday he hopes officers and other staff return to the headquarters by Christmas.

Thomas said, “We would have set a timeline of two weeks for the roof and in terms of the physical structure, not amenities, we expect work on that would be completed by the third week in November.

”By end of October repairs on the floor will be completed and work on the roof will begin.

“Another two weeks will take care of plumbing, painting and electricity, and it will bring us closer to occupying it. I cannot say exactly when it will be opened, but I’m the project manager and I’m trying to deliver between the end of November and the third week in December, if all goes well. So I’m hoping to occupy it by Christmas.”

Thirty-five per cent of the fire station was ravaged by fire on April 14, 2019 after an electrical issue on the second floor. There was smoke and water damage throughout the building, particularly in the male and female dormitories.

After that, the Scarborough fire officers were housed at the Crown Point Fire Station. The arrangement created some tension as officers complained about lack of space.

Three months ago, the Scarborough fire officers were temporarily relocated to the Old Grange Police Station, Carnbee,  previously occupied by officers of the newly-built Shirvan Police Station.

The Ministry of National Security  allocated $700,000 to repair the Scarborough station but Thomas told Newsday the repair work is likely to exceed the budget.

He said, “I don’t have any challenges I can identify. I am in a position where I have access to all that I would need to take it to as close to completion as possible…So far we are within budget but there may be the need for additional funding to deal with furnishing and fixtures.”

He could not say how much more money is needed. While the officers await the reopening of the refurbished fire headquarters, Thomas said they are fitting in comfortably into the temporary station.

“It has been a little bit more comfortable. Responses to fires have been better.”

Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Tobago Andy Hutchinson disagreed with Thomas' assessment of the budget for the project,

He said, “I don’t share the same view but we are hoping it would be completed by Christmas. What is needed to outfit the station, we already have it at Carnbee. The only thing is if we need additional things. It will come from a minor allocation.”