Public safety likely to be compromised as Bermuda Fire Rescue Service staff is further stretched, The safety of the general public is being compromised by new requirements raising the amount of fire-fighters required to man each shift at the airport.
With the minimum required duty strength having increased from five fire-fighters per crew to 14 in order to meet enhanced standards, periodic closures at the east and went end sub-stations appear more than likely to occur.
A source within the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service told TNN that a recent meeting revealed that the Canadian firefighters, that were initially brought in to supplement the airport workforce are being “sent back” without additional replacements being hired.
“They are sending the Canadian’s back and are going to take from the other departments to make up the number,” said the source. “So, when this decreases the number at Port Royal they will have to close that station for the duration of the shift and vice versa with the east end.
“Plus they are not going to pay for any overtime, annual leave or any other leave and if a station is short they’ll just close it down.”
New legislation relative to Bermuda’s National Fire Protection Agency Codes appear to be the source of the situation, with the Senate having replaced old requirements with the UK Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Orders along with Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements.
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