Caribbean fire chiefs, firefighters committed to working together

THE Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) and the Caribbean Association of Firefighters (CAFF) will be working together in the very near future.

Word of this came from new President of CAFC, Chief Errol Maynard.

Addressing the awards and closing ceremony of the CAFC 2019 Conference and Expo at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa on Saturday night, he announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CAFF – an umbrella organisation for firefighters, and CAFC – a body of fire chiefs, fire science experts and practitioners from throughout the region.

“I see no reason why these two entities with similar vision – that is to develop fire and secure services in the Caribbean – cannot work successfully together. I pledge CAFC’s commitment to working with CAFF and to have an MOU in place within the next two months.”

The Annual Conference and Expo provided an opportunity for professional development of Fire-Rescue and EMS personnel in the Caribbean.

Chief Maynard, who is also Barbados’ Chief Fire Officer, therefore implored fellow chiefs and administrators to continue to build on what was discussed over the past five days.

“Do not let this time spent in Barbados serve to be a ‘talk shop’. We need as administrators to be the chief change agents in our departments. We must set the example for our junior officers to follow. We are charged with the responsibility to provide an enabling environment, which will inspire, motivate and be a launching pad for personal and professional development within our organisations,” he stressed.

The CAFC President also encouraged the participants of the Junior Officers Leadership Academy (JOLA) to stay focused. He reminded the officers that at the end of the day, they are solely responsible for their success and their failure.

“I have realised that during my life and during my career as a Fire Officer, that so many times I have heard persons saying that – this person cause them to fail; this person cause this to happen or stopped them from achieving their goals. Let me say to you that if any of you are saying this – you need to stop now because it does not take you anywhere. You are in charge of your own destiny, no man or woman has your destiny in their hands.

“Yes, you may have a supervisor or superior who is difficult. You may have a supervisor who may not be forward thinking, but that supervisor cannot stop you from pursuing your dreams. He or she cannot stop you from going online and pursuing certification, or stop you from attending vocational school to acquire a skill; or your local college or university to read for your degree,” Chief Maynard said. (TL)