New ambulance for Roseau District handed over to emergency response services

The Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services is now equipped with an additional ambulance, valued at over  $300,000.

The new ambulance, which will be stationed in Roseau, was handed over to the department during a presentation ceremony held on Friday.

“This ambulance we have gotten here today which is before your eyes is the most sophisticated ambulance we have received,” Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore said while delivering remarks at the presentation ceremony. “It has everything that the emergency response officers will require to actually stabilize and to treat a patient who was maybe involved in an accident or any issue where, of course, that person has to be responded to and taken to the hospital.”

He continued, “It’s a cost of $301,000 and we are also in communication with the company [which] has manufactured this ambulance from scratch, because we think that’s the way forward to enhance our fleet…”

According to Blackmoore, the features of the new ambulance is indicative of progress.

“During my discussion with the fire chief [who] is in discussion with the company, we are looking at a reduced cost for the additional ones we are looking at,” he stated. “In the next two weeks, we will have at least seven ambulances, which means that every health district will be equipped with an ambulance.”

Meanwhile, Acting Fire Chief Wayne Letang expressed his appreciation for the new ambulance.

“This ambulance is well appreciated, it is something that we needed and the ministry worked hard to get,” he said. “We know that the ministry is pushing to get even better for the Fire and Ambulance, so we are very appreciative.”

Additionally, he stated that this new ambulance is a step in a new direction, ” and I know that the fire officers will treat it with utmost respect.”