The new vehicles include a high-capacity structural fire truck and a specialised Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit, marking a significant investment in public safety and emergency response.
The state-of-the-art ARFF vehicle, or airport crash tender, will be stationed at the George F. L. Charles Airport. According to Chief Fire Officer Ditney Downes, the new addition will allow the airport to increase its operational category under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines.
“The airport crash tender represents the latest and most sophisticated vehicle in its class. Its addition to the George F. L. Charles Airport will increase the category of the airport from five to eight, providing for larger aircraft to land there,” said Downes.
For years, the George F. L. Charles Airport operated with limited firefighting capacity. General Manager of the Saint Lucia Air and Seaports Authority (SLASPA), Daren Cenac, noted that the airport had functioned with only a single fire appliance at ICAO Category 5.
Despite these limitations, Cenac praised the unwavering professionalism of the SLFS and SLASPA personnel.
“Until today, George Charles operated at ICAO Category Five with a single firefighting appliance,” Cenac said. “Despite this limitation, the professionalism and dedication of our firefighting personnel have never wavered. But we recognise the need for enhanced capacity, and so through the Government of Saint Lucia, the SLFS is now more active and better equipped.”
The second vehicle, a high-capacity fire truck designed for structural firefighting, will support operations in communities across the island, especially in high-risk or high-density areas.
Both vehicles are equipped with advanced systems that enhance their capabilities for night-time operations and rapid response to a range of emergencies.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre emphasised that the government remains committed to supporting first responders by ensuring they have the tools they need, even within tight fiscal constraints.
“What the government has to do, and what the government will continue doing, is making the resources available within the fiscal limits of the country,” the Prime Minister stated. “That’s what the government is doing. You are on the front line.”
The addition of these advanced vehicles is expected to bring the country’s fire safety and emergency response infrastructure closer in line with international standards.