Fire chief, Josiah Dupuis, has chosen to remain quiet on a matter concerning the “unexpected” transfer of firemen from the Portsmouth Fire Station.
The firemen had taken protest action by sleeping outside in light of what they say were deplorable conditions at the station.
General secretary of the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU), who is representing the firemen, Thomas Letang said the protest had ended after the union and the fire department “tried to resolve that matter…”
But word soon emerged that orders had been issued for the firemen to be transferred.
DNO can confirm that the orders were received and several attempts were made to contact Dupuis for a comment.
However, DNO was told that he will not be making a statement on the matter.
Letang is not taking the matter lightly describing the transfers as “victimization.”
He told state-owned DBS Radio that the union will not stand for it.
“What we are saying is, to us it is victimization,” he said. “If you are transferring an entire staff after they have protested, I mean any reasonable person can conclude that it is victimization.”
He said the union will not accept it and is asking for the decision to be reconsidered.
“If it means that we are going to have some dialogue or have some discussion with all the fire officers, no matter where they are, we will have that discussion with them,” he said.
Dupuis had condemned the protest action by the firemen saying it was “unreasonable and unnecessary.”
I disagree with the transfers. It does indeed sound like victimization. I think a couple of them should have been transferred and efforts make to right the problems in the building. If the problems are coming from elsewhere, then tackle that problem.
this is absurd. This victimization must stop. Change is a must. Dominicans stand together and unite for a common cause. Freedom is slowly been taking away from us. Communism is on the way. Dictatorship is here already
Mr.Dupuis is a leader a true chief, a professional, and thumbs up to u sir, u wasn’t placed as chief to respond to all what the media want u to say. I do hope that the Police Chief take a page from your book sir
you call that professionalism, the transfers just nail the fact that he is working for the politicians,
that is victimization and proves that dupuis like skerrit don’t want people to talk about the issues affecting them.
so please, idiot, make a contribution that smart people can read.
You are so far awwy from reality, only time will tell. IN 1977 the 47 day strike by essential workers, incited by the now President of Dominica, started when 11 or so nurses were fired for taking a stand at the PMH. TAKE HEART FELLOW FIRE FIGHTERS,BE STRONG. BE SMART.STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
it is better to be swift to listen and slow to speak,you do not know what you are talking about,keep quiet,for it is better not to speak than to speak and be thought of a fool.
the chief forget he is a fireman and would he live in those conditions. He should live up to his Christian values and want for others what he wants for himself. SMH typical hypocrites
Unfortunately, 90% of the Public Service are Political Appointees making them unfit for the positions.
I am certain that Chief Josiah does not have to personally contend with these deplorable conditions. What goes around chief, it comes around. Dominicans need to learn power is in the hands of the people. If ALL fire officers had taken a stand with their fellow officers where would they all be transferred to. In Dominica, we turn a blind eye at the plight of our neighbour until it hits hoe and we expect support that we never gave.
Think of it this way. I am assuming that they had to be transferred so as to repair/renovate the building. Period! Case closed! Wait to see what will occur next.
hmm.. interestin
I have been a volunteer fireman in the US, the firemen there take pride in their facility and trucks and take full reponsibility for their maintenance and upkeep. when new equipment, uniforms or upgrades to the firestation are needed, we weoul stand out at stop signs, intersections (boot drive) and lights with our firetrucks taking donations from the residents. Also at Christmas putting on shows for the kids where each and every house we stop at hands us a check to fund our initiatives. Basically Dominicans have grown into a habit of dependence,expectation and entitlement all of which is born out of laziness. guess what you have to work hard in life no matter what, yes its true, what you put in is what you get out!!! nobody owe you anything! ALLUDOHREADYET!
Fire Fighters in the US are volunteers my brother, in Dominica, it is a job. That is all the fire fighters in Dominica do,,,be firefighters, where as in the US, you all have your regular jobs and do firefighting on voluntary basis. That is the difference ,,as if you did not know.
So who is in charge of bellowing orders to have firefighters transferred? HHhmmm. More of this type of behavior to come. Soon we will hear of…not transfers, but firing. So Dominica is now. Poor us.
Looking out are you out of your mind?
what u talking bout na?!!!
Garbage
Sir you have the right to your opinion but on this matter I do not agree. The fire officers have to be provided with the basic necessities. There is a budget that is done as a Government Department and the persons who hold these positions need to do the necessary work to ensure that the ones below them are cared for. Its time that Public Servants in charge work in the positions that they are placed. Their offices and quarters are like palaces while the other persons who work to save lives live in trash. Definitely not fair. There is money floating around for all sorts of things its time to put some to good use.
I know what you mean- in my coutry 99% of the firemen/women are serving the public as volunteers BESIDE their 40h job. Very
Who the heck is is this clown. Firefighting is in my DNA , fifteen years experience. In the US there are volunteers and those who do it for a living. The volunteering stations are kept afloat by there community. The professionals are taken care of by the state or county. At the end of the day the chief and deputy goes home. So I’m hoping these officers who refused to stand with their fellow men, ask themselves, am i my brother’s keeper. Some way down the road they are going to be transferred back among the the betrayed. I can only say Firefighting is a dangerous job and accidents happens. Food for thought! .
so dey be in domnica but letang will deal with themm………..
Thomas Letang,didn’t the firemen take protest action by sleeping outside in the light of what they say were deplorable conditions at the station?
Then if the firemen were moved out of the deplorable conditions they claim that they are in to some other place(less deplorable),what is wrong with that? You call this victimization?
One is to imagine then,the firemen protest was not because of the deplorable conditions at the station but they had other motives for protesting; wicked all you wicked.
u more wicked,WICKED:
i was part of a joint training including fire officers and members of the police force . i also knew Josiah personally..the things i heard i couldn believe why is a chief afraid of sticking up for his men.. josiah i think you got caught up in the political game to much.. your afraid of the government.. u treat your men like dogs .. you should grow a pair and for once in your stint as chief represent your officers…
Agreed!
And this is so wrong because when he transfers all the firemen from Portsmouth he obviously had to transfer other firemen and that not right at all. I believe that the Fire Chief is a coward and he is not a manager. What happen to writing to civil servants to sanction them and the new Permanent Secretary that is there not saying anything I wonder about him also.
I am very disappointed with the fire chief actions. Does he remember his days as a young officer under Chief Julien? Was he ever penalized for speaking out. I just don’t understand how a fire chief is against his men demanding better living conditions. He should be the first man out there sleeping outside with his men to ensure they are heard. This is madness. Dominicans have become cowards. Every fire officer should sleep outside their stations to send a message to the Chief. If our people cannot speak up and fight for our rights we should take down the statute of the maroon near fort young and put up one of the queen of england holding a black dog on a leash.
The others who the sent for the transfer will soon face the same raft that the others face and it will be the same thing. Protest and more Protest. This man is being unreasonable. I say to the fire officers stand in unity as the police officers are standing with their fellow workers. Its ashamed to see that once you stand for your right then those in “Management” think that they have a right to victimize you. This is victimization at the highest level!!
Once again, Skeritt has shown the lack of leadership and toughness of Mr. Letang. Can Mr. Letang tell Dominicans, why, no sooner Skeritt came to an agreement with him as regards the fire fighters, they were transferred, and his reaction is , “I am not going to take the matter lightly, ” is the guy really serious. Any labor leader, who is worth his salt, without hesitation, would immediately call on the fire fighters to walk out of the doors. I am not a supporter of Charles Savarin, but that kind of behavior by an employer would be met with the strongest possible actions. Proven victimization is the greatest sin against any union.
hmmmmmm green tea they green tea so. Transfering them does not help solve the situation.
Josiah Dupuis,thomas letang nd Roosevelt slerrit can only apologize to the fireman for the treatment that they received,pay them their proper pay package and locate them in a new nd improved environment