The West Coast Fire Station is officially open and operational.
The new station will serve Anse La Raye, Canaries and surrounding areas.
“Finding a suitable building in the Anse La Raye/Canaries area was no easy task, but eventually we identified this property which was available for purchase [and] the prime minister was immediately informed,” said Chief Fire Officer Ditney Downes during an opening ceremony on Tuesday, November 25.
Prior to Tuesday’s opening, the closest stations to the west coast communities were Castries and Soufrière, “Requiring emergency crews to travel long distances over winding coastal roads, often delaying critical response time,” Downes noted.
Former constituency representative, Wayne Girard, who is once again a candidate for the constituency in the upcoming general election, spoke at the ceremony, saying, “Constituents, we are delivering today, more than just a building, it is peace of mind, it is faster emergency response, safer communities for our children, for the elderly, for every family that calls this constituency home.”
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who also addressed the ceremony, used the opportunity to counter political assertions and narratives which have increased over the past two weeks following his announcement of the December 1 elections.
“This fire station will serve everybody,” Pierre said. “When a fire catches, no one will know who is UWP (United Workers Party) and who is Labour.”
The contact number for the newly opened West Coast Fire Station is 1 758 572 2830. Officials say dialling 911 within the area will also work, as the call will be redirected to the station’s control room.
At the ceremony, Downes also highlighted a mentorship programme set to begin shortly, noting a lack of interest from young men in the profession. “The fire service is currently facing recruitment challenges with a notable trend: nearly 80% of the applicants are female and all demonstrate strong academic performance,” he said.
In response, the West Coast Fire Station will launch its first mentorship programme, “through which fire service crew will mentor “15 vulnerable young males” from the Anse La Raye/Canaries community. The aim of the programme is to assist young men with developing life skills and fostering self-confidence, according to Downes. Participants will range between the ages of 13 and 16.
