The Ministry of Homeland Security and the Fire Service Association have resumed high-level talks aimed at tackling long-standing issues affecting firefighters across the country.
At a meeting today, Minister Roger Alexander met with Association President Keone Guy and other representatives to discuss key matters, including funding, equipment, safety, and pensions. Among the top priorities was the long-delayed Morris-Julian Report.
The Association has requested that a redacted version of the report—which contains findings and recommendations related to the Fire Service—be released to the public. Guy said its publication would help restore transparency and improve morale among firefighters.
Minister Alexander agreed that releasing the report could be a significant morale booster and gave the Association his assurance that the matter would be brought before Cabinet for consideration.
Other key issues on the agenda included:
Harmonising retirement rules with NIS pension eligibility
Introducing presumptive illness coverage for diseases linked to firefighting
Improving PPE and fire station conditions
Increasing budget allocations for operations, training, and medical needs
Re-establishing structured quarterly dialogue among the Ministry, Fire Service Association, and Fire Service Administration
The Association stressed that many of these concerns have been raised repeatedly over the past decade, but little progress was made under the previous administration.
Today’s meeting comes five days after a house fire in Las Cuevas claimed the life of 54-year-old Ian Burnley and triggered public outrage over the Fire Service’s delayed response. The Santa Cruz station, the nearest to the scene, had no functioning vehicle. A tender from San Juan broke down en route, forcing a third unit from Wrightson Road to respond more than two hours after the initial 911 call.
Chief Fire Officer Andy Hutchinson called the delay “unacceptable,” citing chronic equipment failure and resource shortages as key factors. He said most of the Service’s fleet is outdated and that officers are demoralised but doing their best under difficult conditions.