Some people receive expensive gifts, cars, money even a house as birthday gifts but for Farley Riviere, 56 of Mahaut, being elevated to the post of the new acting Deputy Fire Chief of the Commonwealth of Dominica is a birthday gift to remember.
“It pleases me to be given the opportunity to function as Deputy Fire Chief at the moment,” he told Dominica News Online. “I actually just turned 56 last week Saturday, 28th, and as such this is like a birthday gift for me. It [promotion] came in yesterday and Saturday was my birthday. So it’s a good, happy birthday for me.”
Riviere was born in Roseau but grew up in the small coastal village of San Sauveur among the river, surf, sand and stones.
Thirty-years ago on January, 8 1982 he chose to enter the service because of his love for helping people.
“Helping people is my forte and I just love to help people. Even before I left primary school I said this is what I wanted to be,” Riviere said.
According to him, his desire to be part of the service had its genesis while growing up when he lost his baby sister to a sudden flu despite the assistance of other adults.
He had a similar experience with his sick mother who had to be assisted by an ambulance.
“I said to myself one day I am going to help somebody,” he said.
He made up his mind at 15 when he applied to become a fire fighter but he was told that he had to wait six more years to be eligible.
Undeterred, he waited to apply and he still had to wait another two years after he sat and passed the entrance exam before he received the letter that he was waiting for.
“I said ‘wow that’s it, that’s it! I was told that I had to commence training next day,” he recalled.
Riviere takes pleasure in knowing that he has worked in every section from Maintenance to Administrative in all seven Fire Stations around the island.
Meantime Fire Chief Josiah Dupuis said he is confident that the new deputy will perform well.
“He is a seasoned Fire Officer in the sense that he is a very experienced Fire Officer,” Dupuis noted. “Someone I believe will be able to bring a level of professionalism and efficiency to the deputy’s office. I think he will do very well in that capacity.”
The Fire Chief admitted that it was “challenging” dealing without the aid of a Deputy Fire Chief.
Riviere’s appointment as Deputy runs from February 9 to August 11, 2015 but he was officially informed on Monday March 30, 2015.
He held the position of Sub-Station Officer prior to being promoted.
Ppl ppl educate ur self, temporary o acting appointments can only be six months. Then for iy to be renewed
this is a strategy of this manipulating government always giving acting POSITION that way you are put on a rope like a dog some else can easily take your place if you do not do as they say. on the other giving a secure position, one would be stronger to act as one should do. YES labour ka twavi yes labour is woking to control your soul
she take time to give u post.government minister run things boy
This is somewhat confusing. He was elevated to Deputy Fire Chief. He mentioned about being promoted. Is this a new position or is he substituting for someone for six months?
Appointed and permanent are two different words with two different meanings. Would he be sort of on probation and depending on his performance he will be permanently appointed after August 11, 2015?
Hollywood. D country nice boy???
Jobs that ere given to people in this country because of their political affiliation is unbecoming.
Ask the pppublic service commission who they chose for that position?
What became of the name they sent to the minister in charge?
When people do their job well and they deserve their promotion GIVE It to them. , irrespective of their political color.
We give jobs to people who are not qualified . Look who is going to Asia to head investments in Dominica.
Mr. Deputy enjoy your promotion. Congratulations.
jjobs that ere given to people in this country because of their political affiliation is unbecoming.
Ask the public service commission who they chose for that position?
What became of the name they sent to the minister in charge?
When people do their job well and they deserve their promotion GIVE It to them. , irrespective of their political color.
We give jobs to people who are not qualified . Look who is going to Asia to head investments in Dominica.
Mr. Deputy enjoy your promotion. Congratulations.
politics he was a strong campaigner for the 2014 general election what you expect williams not on there side but one day the good lord will turn the table around sir riviere i hope you behave your self and change your attitude.
Was that done when the Parl Rep for Grand Bay was acting PM? Just asking.
Congrats Farley. Mygo should be proud of you as you follow in the footsteps of Mr. Leonard Newton (deceased).
Having said that though I would like to ask the powers that be one question; What happened to Anthony Williams (Fab) who acted in that position and performed excellently? I guess once you are ‘labeled” to be a supporter of the opposition your bottom burst. All I know is that the god that me and Mr. Williams serve is NOT a Dominican police commissioner. The good folks of Castle Bruce need to ask why?
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
A set of actors and actresses dat in dat government service…stupes….basically de gentleman has only 4 years until retirement…are they going to continue to give him ‘acting’ until he retires???
He should retire at 65..
Can anyone advise us what was Farley’s position in the Fire Service before this appointment?
Ask Grandbay people or better yet ask the PM and Government Ministers
. They will give you all the details you are looking for and more. 
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
there aren’t many positions in the fire service. I believe he was a station officer which is the only other position you can receive under deputy. There are several station officers of course.. then again, I’m not 100% sure of how the ranks are. think you go from officer to leading fire officer to senior fire officer to station officer.. correct me if i’m wrong..
Way Papa!!!!!! That’s all I saying . Chaque cochon ni samedi yo
Congratulations Sir. You look much younger than your age. More like in your 40’s. Continue what you are doing, God bless you.
One day one day fairness of appointments will prevail in the Government Service.
Congratulations, Farley.
I hope the decision on the appointment of a permanent Deputy Fire Chief will be made soon after the temporary period. The public service has a debilitating habit of having persons act in vacant positions for years. That is unprofessional, which is not exemplary behavior by the powers that be.
Congratulations mr. Rviere. But this is strange at the same time. Why fill such a senior position for only six months? Will mr. Riviere be replaced in August or will his appointment be confirmed from acting status. Too may people are acting in Dominica. If Govt. is convinced it has chosen the right people why not appoint them properly, are they scared or do they want to have a hold over people by using this tactic? I don’t understand that at all.
seems we will soon need our own OSCARS for best ACTORS /ACTRESSES