The 2012 report of the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service detailed a number of challenges faced in the year under review and called on the authorities to address these so that the Service would not be held back in carrying out its functions. Photo: VINO/File

The report was laid on the Table of the House of Assembly during the commencement of the Ninth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly on September 11, 2014.

It noted that the Road Town and Anegada Fire Stations were operating with a 12 year old fire and rescue tender which was ineffective and created high maintenance costs.

It also pointed to lack of legislation to deal effectively with handlers of petroleum products.

“Due to the lack of proper legislation to safeguard good practices when operating petroleum based products, the Department continued to be powerless in terms of enforcement, and the handlers of such products continued to operate at high risks,” the report said.

It called for a revision of the Fire Service Act because of the growing changes in the Department, such as management of the 911 system and Emergency Medical Service etc.

It said that the Virgin Gorda Fire and Rescue Service continued to grow to meet the demands of the public and as such, more space was needed at the Virgin Gorda sub-station to facilitate this growth.

“The number of officers had outgrown the holding capacity of the sub-station. The situation was similar for the number of equipment on the exterior, including two fire trucks and an ambulance. The holding space continued to be too limited,” the report said.

It said that other benefits of expansion would include adequate training space, effective rotation of fire officers and the facilitating of a 24-hour duty system. “The Department would like the Ministry to give this project priority for 2012/2013,” said the report.