The Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service Department, in its 2011 Annual Report laid before the House of Assembly on October 9, 2012 by Minister for Communications and Works Hon. Mark Vanterpool, bemoaned its inability to effectively respond to water-based emergencies due to the lack of a fire boat, among other equipment and supplies. Photo: VINO/File

The report stated that this was a major challenge during the tourist season of January to March, when visitors to the Territory sometimes experience difficulty when swimming, driving and other related medical emergencies.

It said this challenge was due to the lack of a fire boat and other resources such as an ambulance and much needed medical supplies.

Control Burning Policy

Another concern of the Department is what it termed “indiscriminate burning”, which it said continued to be of serious concern to many residents and visitors. Such practices, the report stated, are not commonplace in metropolitan countries and as the Territory continues to promote its natural beauty, measures must be put in place to protect its resources.

“Accordingly, acceptable standards must be put in place to control backyard, pasture and coal pit burning, which has become a nuisance to neighbours.”

Noting that indiscriminate burning practices adversely impact the environment, cause respiratory problems, and contribute to global warming, the report added that absence of a Control Burning Policy means no leverage to effect behavioural change.

“These concerns highlight the need for the enactment of a Control Burning Policy to achieve better balance between health and bush clearing.”

Meanwhile, the Department regarded the year 2011 as a rather busy and that the growing number of emergency calls indicated that the Department must keep pace with present trends by providing more training programmes and general equipment procurement to ensure greater productivity.

Fire officers responded to 579 emergency calls, the majority of which were humanitarian services/medical calls.

For the year 2011, the Fire and Rescue Service was given an approved budget in the sum of $2, 619,600 and was subsequently, a revised budget in the amount of $2, 669,600. Total expenditure at December 31, 2011 was $2, 548, 351, 0.97% of the approved funds. A surplus of $121, 249 remained.