Dangriga Opens New Fire Station
Today, fire officials cut the ribbon at a spanking new fire station in Dangriga. Funding for the station was provided by the U.S Embassy and the facility consists of offices, amenities, as well as space for two full-sized fire trucks. Today’s ceremony marked an accomplishment of a plan conceptualized twenty-four years ago when the location where the station now stands was designated for community development. News Five’s Marion Ali was in Dangriga for the opening and filed the following report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Two years after ground was broken for a new fire station in Dangriga, the facility is finally open. This morning, U.S Ambassador Michelle Kwan, cut the ribbon, along with Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Orlando Habet, and several other government officials. Habet said that the funding for the facility is the result of good bilateral relations between Belize and the United States.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Disaster Risk Management
“We already got one fire station constructed in Belmopan. This is the second here now in Dangriga with a little bit over $1.5 million Belize dollars, and there has also been approval for the construction of a new fire station on Chetumal Street for Belize City, which will serve as our headquarters. And today the ambassador also announced that an approval has already been given for a fire station in San Ignacio and what we’re doing now is we have already identified the location and we have a second visit by their people to look at the location to see whether it is appropriate or we need an alternative location but it has been approved.”
Ambassador Kwan shared her pleasure, being part of a project that benefits others.
Michelle Kwan
Michelle Kwan, U.S Ambassador to Belize
“When a request like this comes to fruition, it makes me happy because this fire station and the fire fighters involved will really serve 12, 000 people in Dangriga and the neighbouring communities, so it is life-changing.”
The U.S. government has financed the construction of the new fire station in Belmopan and will also fund a similar facility in San Ignacio. This new station in Dangriga is located on Gadsby Ramos Street. It complements the existing fire station that was opened fifty years ago here, near the Dangriga market.
Colin Gillett
Colin Gillett, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
“The old station is closer to the old market, which means that we have to take a longer time to reach over here. We’re not abandoning that station, we’re just going to strategically put one truck here, one truck there, and have the officers, just in case something happens there, they can coordinate. What we plan to do is partner with NEMO, with a lot of the other things that we do, so that going to the theme of disaster risk management, this is also going to be a hub for us to help NEMO in getting out their goods in case of an emergency.”
In line with the upgrade, Fire Chief Colin Gillett says that the human element is also receiving attention.
Colin Gillett
“Right now we are having an intake of about 70 guys, new persons. They will be spread out all over the country, especially in the areas where we are having the ambulance service because that’s additional work. And we are – the guys in PG are having their own training from another group. There’s a lot of people since we’ve started the ambulance service, there’s a lot of new organizations who want to step in and help.”
The new fire station will not only serve Dangriga, but also surrounding communities. According to Debbie Jones, a resident who has served at the municipal level, plans for this facility go back over twenty years.
Debbie Jones
Debbie Jones, Dangriga Resident
“I was in the council back in 2000; that’s 24 years ago. And it was the vision of Mayor Cassian Nunez at the time, along with his council. I was deputy mayor – of the expansion of Dangriga. And so we had this vision, he along with his council – had this vision of making this entire parcel of land area here designated for a commercial area of the town. I am happy that this portion of land here remained for this fire station to be built as was designated 24 years ago.”
For Mayor Robert Mariano, having the new fire station is a huge plus. It is a step forward from the original facility that serves the rapidly-expanding municipality.
Robert Mariano
Robert Mariano, Mayor, Dangriga
“I was still going to primary school at the Dangriga Methodist School, and I think that the fire chief at that time was a Woodye. I could remember it and so now, 50 years after that we have this world-class fire station, it will be a lot of improvement for our fire officers, because they give their lives – they risk their lives to save others who are at risk when there’s those fires and so having this world class fire station is a plus for the people of Dangriga.”
Ambassador Kwan said that the request for another fire truck in Dangriga will not go unanswered.
Michelle Kwan
“When the mayor requested, “we need another fire truck,” we hear the need and certainly our Lieutenant Colonel Scott Alvarez, I saw him write it down and he’s been an incredible defense attache at the U.S. Embassy, serving the Security Cooperation Office, so that will go back to us and it will take some time, and we’ll work on it.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
Fire Chief, Colin Gillett says that on Monday a fire truck will arrive in Belize through partnership with the Southern Emergency Service in Hopkins and that vehicle will be stationed in that village along with a fire fighter.
