After years of struggling with ageing equipment, limited resources and chronic staffing shortages, the Saint Lucia Fire Service is now undergoing what officials describe as the most significant transformation in its history.
The multi-million dollar investment aims to modernize equipment, expand capacity at the island’s airports, and improve working conditions across every fire station.
Chief Fire Officer Ditney Downes said the overhaul comes at a critical moment, as emergency demands continue to grow.
“It has been very challenging and the situation in Saint Lucia as we speak in terms of emergency responses have been increasing on a daily basis. So we are on track this year to respond to sixteen thousand ambulance calls,” he said.
Downes noted that outdated ambulances made the workload even more unsustainable. “The ambulances we had before, most of them were almost nineteen years old. Now fifteen thousand ambulance calls in a year, that is a lot of movements. And you have these ambulances at that age,” he explained. He compared the situation to the public transport sector: “No minibus lasts so long. So it was a very challenging period for the fire department.”
Despite the obstacles, Downes praised the dedication of officers. “Fire officers are very resilient. And we are very committed to what we do. We understand our job and the importance of our job to society.”
The new financing package provides a major upgrade to the fleet. “In that loan, we have funding for five ambulances. Five ambulances, two an additional aircraft fire fighting appliance,” Downes stated.
He highlighted a major milestone for aviation safety. “For the very first time in the history of Saint Lucia, Hewanorra International Airport will have four aircraft firefighters. Very first time.”
George Charles Airport has also received unprecedented upgrades. Downes said, “George Charles just got, remember we just had a handing over of two. That is apart from the Caribbean government forty million dollar loan. These two appliances that were just handed over were from local revenue from my budget.” One of the new aircraft appliances has already been deployed to the airport. “So currently George Charles has two aircraft firefighting appliances. That has never happened in the history of George Charles.”
These upgrades will expand the air traffic the airport can safely handle. “What these two appliances will do is to allow George Charles now to accommodate bigger aircrafts. So with just the adjustment in manpower and these little things, but in terms of coverage, they could accommodate bigger aircrafts,” Downes explained. Hewanorra will also receive an additional appliance, ensuring uninterrupted safety operations. “So in case one breaks down, it will not affect the category of the airport.”
Beyond equipment, the government has invested heavily in station upgrades islandwide.
“The last three years we have gotten a significant sum to refurbish and keep fire stations. So as we speak, every fire station in Saint Lucia has gotten the attention that it deserves. Every one of them have been refurbished,” Downes said.
The improvements include better living and working spaces. “New appliances, new furniture have been purchased. Every single one.”
The Soufriere Fire Station, in particular, is undergoing major expansion. “We were able to get funding to do an extension at Soufriere Fire Station. So if you pass that fire station, you will see an extension on that station that basically will accommodate a training room and female quarters,” Downes said.
He explained that many stations built decades ago did not take the modern composition of the fire service into account.
“Most of our fire stations around the island, unfortunately, were not designed to accommodate so many females. So we have to now figure out how we provide accommodation for them.”
Downes added that increased budget allocations will allow the service to maintain upgraded facilities and continue improving conditions for officers.
With the transformation now underway, fire officials say the island is on track to deliver safer, faster and more reliable emergency services than ever before.