20 recruits being trained to operate new aircraft rescue, fire-fighting vehicles – PM

Twenty new recruits are being trained to operate the new aircraft rescue and fire-fighting vehicles which have been bought for the Argyle International Airport.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced on Monday that the trainees, along with 11 senior officers, will be part of the {{more}} squad stationed at the airport. He said they would be trained by an engineer from Oshkosh, the company from which the fire trucks were purchased.

The Prime Minister lauded the trainees, four of whom were at the ceremony to mark the handover of the vehicles, at the Campden Park Container Port.

He highlighted the academic accomplishments of the recruits, and credited the Education Revolution for the high quality of the applicants.

“I have seen the list and their qualifications. There’s one person who has a university degree. There are several of them who have A Levels, some have Associate Degrees and other than two persons, everyone of them has at least five subjects.

“One person who doesn’t have five subjects, he had been in fire-fighting before; he had gone into the private sector and he has come back into the service because he wants to be at Argyle.

“And there is one other person who I think has four subjects…. The persons who did the interviews found that he was an exceptional young man and had many other attributes including he is a national cricketer, or he had a role in the under-19 cricket…. He is currently representing the Windwards cricket team.

“You see the qualities we are introducing in the fire service, you see the education revolution?”

The Prime Minister also announced that a number of police officers would receive promotions.

He announced that one person would be advanced to the post of Superintendent of Police, one to Inspector, two Station Sergeants, and six officers will be promoted to Corporals.(JJ)