New fire trucks for San Pedro
It’s an island nicknamed La Isla Bonita, but the fact is that if a fire started downtown on a windy day, San Pedro could quickly become La Isla Quemada. Tonight, however, San Pedranos have reason to sleep a little bit sounder.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Last December a fire on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye destroyed two buildings and left several people homeless. It is believed that had the town’s residents not formed a bucket brigade, the damage would have been greater and the Fire Department was heavily criticized for not being properly equipped to handle the blaze. Today, the situation has been drastically improved with the acquisition of two new fire tenders, portable pump and other equipment.
Denice Plummer, Officer in Charge, San Pedro Fire Service
“It is a great benefit to the department out here. We have been struggling with only one truck for a long time that has been having a lot of problems. We recently get a new one from the government and an additional one today.”
The first fire truck, which costs three hundred and fifteen thousand dollars, was purchased by the Government of Belize. The brand new truck has the capacity to pump a thousand gallons of water per minute. The other fire-fighting machine is a gift from the Mayor of Cherryville, North Carolina and San Pedro resident, Ramon Nunez, Sr.
Ramon Nunez, Sr., Citizen
“The way I got this fire truck here in San Pedro, was from a friend that use to stay at Ramon’s, Mr. Robby Robson. Talking to him on the phone, he asked me… He heard about the fire, somebody called him and he said “Well it was a bad fire, so let’s see what I can do to help you Mr. Nunez”. So three weeks ago he called me and he said he went to the mayor of Cherryville and the mayor went to the fire department and they had this truck that they were going to dump, because in the States they have requirements about the equipment they use. So they decide that instead of dumping it, give it to the town of San Pedro. That’s the way how it happened.”
Jacqueline Woods
“I understand it only cost a dollar.”
Ramon Nunez
“One dollar.”
Ground was also broken for the construction of a new firehouse. The two storey concrete building will be built in two phases.
Denice Plummer
“This is the first phase of a new building that is going to be a new fire station and resident quarters. This section is the fire station which will include office and recreational facilities.”
However, as San Pedro Fire Service expands, there is a need for more volunteer fire fighters. If you are interested in joining the force, you are asked to get in contact with the National Fire Service in Belize City.
