Caribbean fire chiefs set to meet in Barbados

Barbados’ Chief Fire Officer, Errol Maynard, will be elevated to the post of President of the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) when the 2019 Conference and Expo comes off next week at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa.

Maynard currently holds the position of Vice President of the CAFC, and will take over the post from outgoing President Reginald Burchall.

The handing over of the instruments of office will signal a new chapter in the life of the association, as it continues to build on the solid foundation laid by past presidents and founders.

This all takes place during the opening ceremony on Monday, May 6, at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa, beginning at 9 a.m. Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson will also address the opening ceremony.

During the week, the fire chiefs will host a range of meetings, including one with the Pan-American Health Organization. In addition, emergency medical technicians and firemen will also undergo training through the Junior Officers Leadership Academy, the Senior Officers Leadership Academy and the EMS Track programmes.

However, they have also sought to include members of the public through a firefighter challenge – EMS & Extrication Challenge at the Arch Hall Fire Station, Arch Hall, St Thomas, on Friday, May 10. There will also be an exhibition of fire safety products from overseas vendors during the conference.

The conference will culminate with a dinner and awards closing ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa, beginning at 6 p.m.

The CAFC is a regional organization comprising Caribbean Fire Service administrators, chiefs and senior fire officers from Caribbean countries.

Its primary objective is to prevent and minimize the loss of life, personal injury, damage to property and the environment, by improving and promoting the best quality of firefighting, rescue, fire protection and fire prevention.

The body also provides expert professional advice, leadership research, informed comments and other services to the CAFC member organizations and other entities, upon request.