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Donned in festive shirts, an ensemble of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) Music Band (TTFSMB) led by ADFO Noel Stewart, decided to help quell the COVID-19, Delta and Omicron fires of fear, stress and grief, by carefully spreading yuletide joy to the nation, and world, via their mini Christmas music series, A Christmas Gift to the Nation.
Comprised of four videos which is traditionally released in December on social media, the project which was fully endorsed by their Chief, Arnold Bristo, coordinated by FS/O Roy Frank, and has already racked up 29 thousand-plus views as at December 30.
Trincity Mall, Mt Saint Benedict and Piarco Fire Station (PFS) benefited from the richly-presented production. Trincity was first, with Fire fighter Alethea Hinkson-Asson— who selected the uniform, devour a David Foster-composed song, My Grown-Up Christmas List.
On December 14 at the Piarco Fire Station, AFF Shiniqua Williams delivered So This is Christmas; and on December 21, at Trincity, Mt Saint Benedict and Piarco Fire Station, respectively, AFFs Jonathan Charles, Justin Phillip and Jamie Ghany crushed the golden-voice soca-parang king, Baron’s medley of Caminante, Come Go and Spanish Woman, and on the 28 at Mt Saint Benedict, saxophonist, AFF Jamie Ghany’s rendition Luther Vandross’ Every Year, Every Christmas, pleasingly-reverberated through the Abbey’s community.
Musical accompaniment included FSO Marcus Steele and FF Reynold Tangway on keyboards; AF Emmerson Dyer, electric guitar; AFF Andel Clarke, bass; FF Kail Thomas, drums; Ag FSO Kern Kiezer, congas; Ag FSO Roy Frank and AFF Joseph Melville, trumpet; AFF Joy-elle Oliviere, alto sax; AFF Titus Tannis, tenor sax; AFF Aaron Blenman, trombone; and steel panists, Ag FSO Adana Pompey and AFF Garth Sinnette.
Frank and his coordinating team – Fire officer Robert Burton, AFF Johann Andrews and FSO Yearwood, expressed appreciation to recording engineer AFF Kevin Innis, mixer and master Ag, FSO Marcus Steele, video producer TTFS Communications Unit, editor AFF Johann Andrews, and production assistants FFs Kail Thomas and Odelle Daniel, and AFFs Kevin Joseph and Nisha Ramsook.
The coordinating team and musicians extended a message of love as the holiday season closed. Thanking their viewers and other supporters for joining them in celebrating with them their Christmas gift—the Mini Series amidst these trying times of uncertainty.
“You looked out every Tuesday in December for the music videos published for your listening and viewing pleasure on our social media pages. These videos embodied the nation’s cultural identity and allowed us to share our moments with you through song….”
Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, extended words of “sincere appreciation,” stating, “There is so much to be thankful for. The mere fact that the musicians continue to survive the rough challenges of the COVID-19 experience and its implications, is testament to their strength and loyalty, so much so, that they are able to the share good tidings through their music with the nation and world.”
The Fire Service wishes all a happy, safe and prosperous New Year, and also, a fire-educated and fire-safe dry season 2022.