Efforts are afoot to ensure that the job description of firefighters of the Barbados Fire Service is in accordance with international firefighting requirements.In this regard, as part of the training of new fire officers, they will now be required to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Chief Fire officer, Errol Maynard made that revelation yesterday after a service at the Bethel Methodist Church, Bay Street, The City to mark Fire Service Week.“Every firefighter internationally, as a matter of fact, the requirements for firefighting in the industry is that all firefighters should actually be EMTs and we are building out that making sure that we can function at the international level. So, we are now making sure we bridge that gap,” Maynard said.The introduction of EMT courses, which commenced several years ago, is an ongoing initiative designed to increase emergency response capabilities. This is in addition to a search and rescue and water rescue that all recruits undertake as part of their initial programme. Maynard’s comments were supported by Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams, who while speaking at the same event, noted that as a major tourist destination it was important to ensure that the highest level of fire and lifesaving service, similar to what is expected in the homeland of the tourists, is present in Barbados.
