Chief Fire Officer Wayne Letang said the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services is committed to ensuring that all carnival events happen in a safe environment.
He was speaking during a pre-Carnival press conference organized by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force recently.
“We continue to monitor all the events. We have been working with the Dominica Festival Committee and all other organizing committees around the island in ensuring that the events happen without any incident,” he stated. “We would have liked that no incident happen, but sometimes they do.”
According to Letang, the Fire and Ambulance Services will continue to maintain its readiness to respond to any such incident, “and as we always do, we prepare for the worst-case scenarios.”
“Although, like I said, we wish it would never happen, but sometimes it does, within the City of Roseau on Carnival Monday and Tuesday,” he emphasized.
Moreover, Letang pointed out that the Portsmouth station and the Roseau station will be monitoring those carnival events.
“We will be having continuous walkthrough throughout the carnival routes,” he revealed. “We will ensure that all persons have a safe carnival, enjoying the time in peace.”
He mentioned that during events such as carnival and other festivities, people are in a party mood, and there is always an increase in road traffic.
“We want to encourage motorists and other road users to have [parties] in a safe mode,” Letang encouraged. “Motorists, we therefore want to encourage you, drinking alcohol and driving is not a good combination.”
He continued, “Always ensure that you rest sufficiently and for groups ensure that you have a designated chauffeur…”
Letang added, “For persons who were entering the carnival routes, please ensure that you observe all the traffic signs and the police regulations.”
Patrons are also advised that they should not venture into a restricted area.
“Follow the designated route according to the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force,” he advised. “For road users, carnival revelers, ensure that you are clear of the roadways at all times where it is not the designated carnival route.”
And to those who plan to consume alcoholic beverages, Letang urges them to keep themselves in a safe mode all the time, as drunkenness will inhibit his/her judgement and decision.
Letang indicated that the Dominican Fire and Ambulance Services will continue vigilance throughout the island at all eight stations.
Stupes tan Wayne Letang. You guys are not even ready for to effectively put out a simple single fire so worse case scenario all you ready for with about 5 old fire trucks and 5 ambulances that are un equipped and untrained paramedics staff. Imagine a car accident with two badly passengers on any part of the country and at the same time a house on fire In Castle Bruce with 3 occupants with 50% burns and a patient dying in Portsmouth hospital, do you think all you can save the life of any? Boy all you just talking nonsense to give the impression that all is well instead of demanding equipment and trained paramedics on those stupid so called ambulance. Stupes again eh.
Gason for those that don’t know better the only difference between calling an ambulance and using a private vehicle to transport a patient that’s dying is, with the ambulance nurses and doctors will be on standby whereas a private car will be treated like a nobody although the car will get there before the ambulance