Courts (Barbados) Limited recently donated fifteen hundred dollars to the Barbados Fire Service to assist with its annual Junior Fire Cadet Programme. The presentation was made to Station Officer, Wilfred Marshall, fellow officers and the course participants at the headquarters, Probyn Street, Bridgetown.
The Junior Fire Cadet Programme is a three week programme designed to help build character, confidence and self-esteem in each participant. It will consist of a series of practical and classroom exercises that will not only educate the participants on fire prevention and fire protection, it well help to develop good work habits, team building, discipline, respect and a sense of responsibility within the family unit and the community.
The group, which comprise of members of the Girl Guide and Boy Scouts Association between the ages of thirteen and fifteen, will all receive awards at the Chief Fire Officer Parade scheduled for September 20, 2005. The cadet programme is just one of many community outreach programmes the Fire Service is involved with yearly. They are presently working on acquiring aspecial unit that will allow them to make more community visits and educate the public on fire prevention and fire protection through practical demonstrations.
According to Chief Fire Officer, Chesterfield Mayers, the rate for structural fires in Barbados is too high, stating there have been over eighty fires for the year so far. He further added that the public needs to be sensitized more on fire and safety measures and is hopeful that the department can acquire the new unit to assist in this area.
PR & Media Manager, Jenny Armstrong urges corporate Barbados to support the fire service with this meaningful drive. It will be of great benefit to the community at large and a significant contribution to a safer and more wholesome society. |