The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama now has a functioning fire truck.

Royal Bahamas Police Force officials received the truck from New Providence on Friday following frustration from residents over delayed emergency responses and heightened fire safety risks.

“Commissioner Knowles has promised to deliver a fire truck to Grand Bahama, and today I am pleased to report that she has delivered on that promise,” said Advardo Dames, Assistant Commissioner of Police for Grand Bahama. “The truck is here and ready for service. This is part of her strategy and commitment to ensuring a working fire engine is available on the island, and we value the public’s support in our mission for safety.”

Five of the island’s fire trucks were submerged in salt water during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, resulting in breakdowns and costly maintenance, according to National Security Minister Wayne Munroe. Recently, the airport fire truck has been the only operational vehicle on the island.

Mr Dames said other fire engines damaged during Hurricane Dorian are being repaired.

Tiffany Dennison, owner of Fairfield Farm, a resident affected by the lack of functioning fire equipment, expressed cautious optimism. 

“One fire truck is a great start, but it won’t cover the whole island,” she said. “I understand they’ve gotten permission to purchase the parts needed to fix the trucks since Dorian.”

Ms Dennison’s farm was nearly destroyed and sustained significant damage due to a recent bushfire, drawing attention to the island’s lack of functional fire trucks. She and her husband battled the blaze for six days to save their farm.

“We’ve had to deal with smoking logs and damaged bee hives, but we’re grateful we didn’t lose more than we lost,” she said.

She said the Department of Agriculture has been supportive, offering to help replace what was lost, including their bee apiaries.

Kwasi Thompson, MP for East Grand Bahama, had criticised the island’s lack of working fire resources in the House of Assembly and called for urgent action.

He described the situation as unacceptable and raised concerns about the airport fire truck being used between flights to respond to fires, leaving the airport vulnerable. He also noted the lengthy response times for fire trucks travelling from Freeport to the eastern settlements.

Community leader Dudley Seide, founder of Reach Out Youth Ministry, also called for fire trucks to be stationed in various areas across the island to improve response times and better protect residents.