TURKS AND CAICOS GOVERNMENT TO RECEIVE
11 NEW FIREFIGHTING VEHICLES

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands; Thursday, 17th January 2008 - In a ceremonial service, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) were handed over 11 new rescue and fire fighting trucks.
 
The day was a day of dedication and ceremonial right of passage for the new fleet of vehicles - as the Government, committed to fire safety, made a significant investment of US$3 million for their purchase. Sourced from the Rosenbauer Fire Apparatus out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, will see at least one new truck being dispatched to each island on the Turks and Caicos, so that each community have double the number of trucks they need.
 
Rosenbauer has been building vehicles for emergency and fire services for close to 140 years and are recognized as one of the largest manufactures in the United States. The relationship between Rosenbauer and the TCIG began in 2003, when the Engineering and Maintenance Department (EMS) and the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) sourced the first vehicle, on making a recommendation to Executive Council, for a need to purchase a vehicle, along with servicing and supporting then existing fleet.
 
The Government sent mechanics and persons from the CAD fire section to Minnesota to look at the equipment and be trained on some operational maintenance aspects of the truck. To that end, Rosenbauer became the preferred supplier based on their after sales, services, and track record in the Caribbean.
 
The 11 firefighting vehicles has taken 14 months to custom build, and provides the five airports and six inhabited island communities with state of the art safety equipment designed to meet all international aviation and domestic standards. Moreover, they have been manufactured to meet the expected growth on all islands. Rosenbauer pledge not only good fire trucks, but also a promise of support, training, maintenance, and access to spears and parts.
 
Mr. Peter Linder, International Sales Manager of Rosenbauer, said that though they had a lot of orders and numerous business transactions all over the world, "This will be our largest and complete, part vehicle, part service to one customer, starting with the smaller vehicles, leading up with the larger vehicles for the international airport."
 
 "We understand the commitment of the people of emergency services; and we understand Turks and Caicos fire rescue service are about saving life and property. We want to ensure that every person in the fire service, Rosenbauer stands with them 100% behind the vehicle and maintenance, and task they are here to perform".
 
Mr. Linder went on to say that though the TCI had a choice of provider, it was their desire to supply the best service possible, "So that the Fire Department can able the most efficient, operational, effectiveness in the Caribbean Islands".

Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Chris Gannon, said that the occasion was probably the nightlight not just of his personal career, but probably his life. Moreover, to be entrusted by his Government with US$3 million to do anything is significant and as a human being - "It is a very humbling experience to see these things (trucks) finally here lined up and how much of an improvement they are going to bring to our community."

Mr. Gannon then disclosed that vehicles, though brand-new, "Did not just come off the production line, but had to be built to exact specifications for the islands they were to be deployed to and the environment of the TCI."

"We invested in tremendous sealing qualities on these vehicles. We made sure that they were designed for my staff to be able to use; they weren't too complicated; to delicate; that they are rugged and tough and they will last."

Furthermore, "We are in the business of maintaining these trucks, so that they serve our country for the next 15 to 20 years."

This initiative is an investment in people, stated the Fire Chief, and an investment in investor confidence; "As when people visit the TCI they will see that the Government is seeing about protecting its people, committed to public safety and safety in general." To that end, he charged the firefighters with looking after the vehicles, and making sure that they were well maintained and serviced.

HE the Governor, Richard Tauwhare said that this inventiveness is indicative of TCI's development and a symbol of welcoming, saying: "You are welcomed to the TCI, you are welcome as a visitor, you are welcomed as a resident; and now the Government has first and foremost as a priority, your safety and the ability of any authorities that may arise. It is also about aviation safety, and the best level of safety rating at all airports."

Hon. Galmo Williams, Minister for Home Affairs and Public Safety, in remarks said "In modernizing and developing this country, there comes some challenges, there comes some responsibility; but we as your Government stepped up to the plate when the responsibility comes upon us."

Moreover, "I'm also really happy to be apart of a group of firefighters and volunteer firefighters who have stepped up every time to provide a service and provide safety for our country."

To the firefighters, Hon. Williams informed them that his Government would continue investing in them - in their training, equipment and working environment.
END

Courtney S. Robinson
Director, GIS
Office of the Premier,
Grand Turk,
Turks and Caicos Islands.
Tel: (649) 946-2801, ext.40916
Fax: (649) 946-1311
Email: c.robinson@gov.tc