Princes Town fire station reopens

Senior Reporter

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Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander is working towards greater coordination among the police, fire and ambulance services, saying emergency agencies must respond as a team to provide a more effective service.

Alexander was speaking yesterday at the opening of the temporary Princes Town Fire Station at the old URP building on King Street, Princes Town, which was refurbished at a cost of $229,801.25.

The fire station was shut down more than two years ago because of a rat infestation and other health and safety concerns.

Explaining the presence of Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro at the function, Alexander said there have been instances where police arrived at emergencies but the fire and ambulance services were not informed.

“National Security has vision and what we see happening over the years is that our response, sometimes timely, not always adequate. Meaning that we have the police arriving, but the fire service, the ambulance team was never informed.

“So now we’re waiting probably to save a life. So, we are thinking and packaging our next move. How to get the police service, the ambulance service, the fire service together.

“So, when we respond, we respond like a team. Once the area is cleared and there are persons injured, they must be able to come and at least attempt to save life. It’s one package and not several packages.”

While the fire station restores an essential public service to residents, Alexander said the Government is considering providing separate fire coverage for Moruga, acknowledging that lengthy response times can cost lives.

In an interview with reporters afterwards, he said Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was concerned about timely coverage, considering the distance between Princes Town and Moruga.

“So, we will have to do something about Moruga, even if it is to put a substation or along those lines that could help the people of Moruga.”

Noting that the fire station services 56 communities and a population of 118,500, Alexander also urged fire officers to respond promptly to calls and not let requests for assistance “fall on deaf ears.”

He encouraged officers to visit schools and businesses, educate people about fire safety and ensure they have working fire extinguishers.

Chief Fire Officer Andy Hutchinson said the station’s absence had caused significant operational gaps, as surrounding stations, including Mon Repos, Penal and Rio Claro, had to provide coverage to Princes Town and surrounding communities.

“In an emergency, every second matters. Distance adds time, and time can cost lives, homes and livelihoods.”

Hutchinson said the King Street facility, although an interim solution, will provide a dedicated local team and emergency response vehicle, allowing firefighters to reach incidents within minutes.

Community representative and businessman Taruel Teelucksingh said the reopening had restored some peace and positivity among residents, as the facility will provide a quicker response to those in need.

Princes Town MP Aiyna Ali and Naparima MP Narindra Roopnarine spoke about residents and businesses having greater peace of mind with a functioning station nearby.

Ali said she had worked tirelessly to ensure the station was reopened, adding that its closure left residents dependent on fire stations outside the area, with the distance sometimes resulting in greater property loss.