The Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services is now better equipped to handle emergencies after receiving two new ambulances.
The ambulances, numbers 60 and 61 amounting to $337,000, were made available by the government of Dominica and will be stationed in the La Plaine and Roseau Health District.
The keys to the news ambulances were handed over to Minister of Justice, Immigration and National Security Rayburn Blackmoore on Wednesday.
“Today we are here and I am here on behalf of the people of Dominica to officially hand over to you, the fire chief, two ambulances to assist you to deliver that critical service to the people of Dominica,” Blackmoore said while addressing the handing over ceremony held at the Fire Brigade Headquarters in Roseau.
Blackmoore revealed that by the end of October 2015 the Fire and Ambulance Services Department will be equipped with an additional ambulance in order to ensure that all seven districts are fully equipped.
Fire Chief, Josiah Dupuis said the receipt of the ambulances is very important.
“In our case like any other it really cuts to the core of what our core functions are,” he noted.
He mentioned that the availability of ambulances has an impact on the department’s ability to respond to emergencies as quickly as possible.
“And as quickly as possible, I must say and sound a little note of to our fire officers, that ambulances are not race cars,” Dupuis warned.“They are vehicles that are so equipped to allow us to response to emergencies and afford us the opportunity or the capability of assisting those in need. And as I speak about response time, cautions us that in the use of these ambulances we should be mindful about the rate at which we drive on the streets of Dominica.”
Dupuis urged drivers of the ambulances to take proper care of them.
He encouraged fire officers to do their very best in taking proper care of these ambulances, “so that they can stay with us for as long as possible.”
Meantime; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health and the Environment; Ivor Stephenson noted that the health ministry welcomes the initiative, because it continues to provide all of the self support for the Ministry of Health.
The delivering of these ambulances, he said, will continue to play a very important role in the development of the country, “particularly in responding to emergencies and also in the delivery of care.”
Stephenson urged ambulance drivers/fire officers who will be making use of these new ambulances continue to ensure that they put them into effective use.
I do not want to sound insulting here, but I must ask. Was ocean shipping cost included? Were they charged VAT ? Was the cost for the vehicles only ?
And not equipped ?! I am a firefighter in the states , I own a fire truck company and I am a volunteer for a non profit, the IFRM. We do missions all around the world , and as many governments may know if is, many citizens do not. We can help , as long as the proper steps are taken .
We assist with fire and medical , I feel that many of the Caribbean nations get taken advantage of, and many just do not do their due diligence. Just a thought .
hope they use it wisely and care for it
this thing about leaving the communities without ambulance just to go and sit in Roseau awaiting dignitaries is ridiculous and must stop. When people are sick and these ambulance are sent to town, these sick persons have to wait because the ambulance has to be called from Roseau…
Same applies to the police. when you call them they keep saying that they cannot come because there are only 2 of them alone on the shift and the other one was sent to an official funeral or the van was sent or used to go give security to dignitaries….and this is BS
Recently, a friend of mine was charged US $8,000 plus, to be transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital after a car accident in Florida.
It’s bad enough that nobody in Dominica pays to be transported to the hospital. But to be taxied back home by ambulance after discharge from the Casualty or the wards of the hospital is just down right ridiculous!!!!!!!! And a drain on Government’s supposedly scares resources!!!
SMH!
We have continued emphasis on the proper use of these vehicles WHY…? Are not the terms of employment and use of government vehicles spelt out in very lathe print to all.
Any person who has acted in an inappropriate manner should be dealt with forwith you know what I mean
YOU mean TWO new BUSES…not fully equipped.
One day we will get something right in this country..! SMH
Mr. Blackmoore thanks for the vehicles that will transport those needing medical assistance. However sir, these are not ambulances since they are not staffed with a nurse or paramedic, or even have basic IV equipment that is critical in stabilizing patients. Its time we incorporate paramedic training as part of the training curriculum for the firemen. When an ambulance moves it should be ready for all contingencies and not just to give a sick person a vep to PMH
You all had 20 plus years to do it so step on it a quit using these basic, essential things a big news items. Always looking for a photo opportunity like you guys are doing so well. Give me a flippin break.
Assertive, NEVER Aggressive!
whats the big deal minimum of 10 ambulance is needed
How many Fire Stations do we have on the Island? Know one at the airport in Marigot – Don’t think it would assist in putting out a house fire in Marigot; Just for planes. Next one is in Roseau; as far as I know.
You mean to vehicles to transport ppl. That’s not an ambulance.
I hope they are equiped with all that is needed to deliver good critical care eg oxygen tanks, that your exsisting amubulances do not have. leading to deaths. We are in a new time, critical health care is vital for survival
new Ambulance, how nice, but the service still continue to suffer from lack of man power, while the police get a new batch every year, there is 100s of young men and women waiting for an opportunity to serve their country. in the capacity of fire officer.
Laborrrrr..You love your PM? You’ll vote for him?
I really dont get it with this party,why everything they put out for the citizens has to be publicized,you guys are responsible,the tax payers money,so whats the big deal about 2 bus ambulances.