Led by legal consultant Ms Tessa Charlotte Mangal, the exercise aimed to enhance the team's understanding of legislation, identify gaps, and develop policies for improved service delivery.
Chief Fire Officer Ditney Downes expressed optimism that the review would lead to strengthening and updating the Fire Service Act, the Industrial and Commercial Buildings (Fire Safety) Act, and improving collaboration with the Department of Labour in Occupational Safety and Health. The goal is to enhance the Fire Service's efficiency and effectiveness.
“One of the areas we’ve identified that we need to give urgent attention to is the legislative review of the department. We sought the assistance of the Legal Consultant with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ms Tessa Mangal, and she has spearheaded this initiative. Today, all senior officers within the department—she is meeting with them to discuss some of the critical changes that have been identified. I am very happy that there have been a lot of discussions in areas that I did not even know existed. I don’t think we will finish today, but I will ask Ms Mangal to reconvene because this is very important,” the Fire Chief said.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Ricky Quinlan emphasized to the management team of the Saint Lucia Fire Service the importance of adhering to the rule of law in their roles and responsibilities. He stressed that they must carry out their functions per the law. He described the legislative reform process as a proactive step toward establishing a solid institutional framework that would ensure that management is fully aligned with the momentum toward modernization.
“In pursuit of your duties, it is crucial that every action is guided by established policies and laws. This framework serves as a compass, conducted with a sense of fairness and justice. The community trusts in your abilities to respond to emergencies, and this trust is built upon the foundation of adherence to legal principles,” Quinlan said.
The Saint Lucia Fire Service is also utilising this period of review and renewal to make the necessary internal operational adjustments to the Standard Operating Procedures of various units. This includes the development and documentation of policies to allow for continuity. It is envisaged that there will be stakeholder consultations to foster greater collaboration with key agencies in the future.