Cayman Brac gets new fire truck
Juliana O’Connor-Connolly in the new fire truck on Cayman Brac
(CNS Local Life): The newest and most modern aerodrome fire truck in the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) fleet was officially unveiled on Cayman Brac on Thursday, 4 May, during a vehicle handover ceremony. Government leaders, airport officials and Fire Service personnel gathered at the Cayman Brac Fire Station to celebrate the new truck’s arrival.
The Panther 6×6, made by US manufacturer Rosenbauer Minnesota, will be based at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport fire station on the Brac.
“We are extremely grateful to have this fire engine now a part of our aerodrome fleet thanks to the Ministry of Home Affairs,” Chief Fire Officer David Hails said.
He signed the contract for the vehicle, which costs $599,328, in February to replace a 10-year old vehicle damaged in an accident on Cayman Brac earlier this year.
“It’s a fire truck like these Islands have never seen. This new vehicle is designed with state-of-the-art equipment which can efficiently extinguish any aircraft fire, and will improve operation capabilities for the Cayman Brac Airport,” Hails said.
The truck is also equipped with several advanced features such as a twin-agent fire extinguishing system, the Islands’ first ever on-board thermal imaging camera, a driver’s cab with a panoramic view and full LED lighting.
Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and Moses Kirkconnell cut the ribbon for the Brac’s new fire truck
Deputy Premier and Minister for District Administration, Tourism and Transport Moses Kirkconnell said at the ceremony: “This new fire engine is another investment into public safety for the people of this Island, and the people who visit this Island.
“This government continues to invest and ensure the best possible air transport safety and the highest standards of overall operational safety for the Cayman Brac Airport.”
Michael Nixon, Acting Chief Officer for the Ministry of Home Affairs, also spoke at the event. “On behalf of the ministry, it is my honour to officially hand over this new fire engine to the fire officers of Cayman Brac,” he said. “The men and women of the Cayman Islands Fire Service put their lives on the line every day, and we are happy to ensure they have the lifesaving equipment they need to do their job.”
Under the contract the CIFS negotiated with the manufacturer, all fire officers who will operate the new truck have received operation and maintenance training at no extra cost.
At the end of the ceremony, the deputy premier took a ride in the vehicle, while those gathered got to see the new fire truck in action.
Category: Fire Service
Given the priority number of air arrivals and departures, this equipment, on a merit-basis, should have been delivered to Owen Roberts and the Brac given the resulting spare. Pre-election pandering at its worst.
We used to call that “the Brac factor”, a term which explained all madness like the plans for having Olympic swimming pools there which of course were just vote grabbing efforts from that tiny island which sucks up so much of our money and gives nothing to the country. That’s why Julianna, looking really silly, is inthe driving seat. Remember this truck was made necessary by the idiocy of a Brac fireman.