The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has officially launched the “Enhancing the Resilience of the Saint Lucia Fire Service” project, a landmark initiative aimed at significantly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS).

This project is set to enhance the well-being and safety of citizens across the island by bolstering community safety and emergency response capabilities.

Speaking at the launch event, Therese Turner-Jones, CDB’s vice president of operations highlighted the importance of this initiative.

“This project is not only about investing in infrastructure but also about our commitment to protecting lives, property, the environment, and the overall well-being of citizens. Efficient emergency response and crisis management are critical to resilience-building and national development,” she said.

The project is aligned with the Government of Saint Lucia’s broader development goals to maintain a safe and secure nation.

The initiative addresses critical capacity needs within the SLFS, providing modern resources and equipment backed by an Operations Manual to enhance firefighters’ efficiency.

A 2023 Fire Service Fleet Assessment highlighted the urgent need for upgrades, addressing ageing infrastructure, deficient equipment, and inadequate training facilities.

Beyond physical upgrades, the project includes enhancements to training programmes.

The Vieux Fort Training Facility will be renovated and redesigned to increase access to quality firefighting training and provide Caribbean Vocational Qualifications certified training for emergency and protective services personnel, both locally and regionally.

Turner-Jones added, “Only motivated officers who experience good psychological and mental health will work productively and yield positive results.”

Accordingly, a mental health and psychosocial support programme will be introduced to address the impacts of responding to traumatic events.

The project also includes the development and implementation of a Gender Policy and Action Plan to enhance gender-responsiveness within the Department of Home Affairs.

This aligns with Saint Lucia’s Draft National Gender Policy and modern human resource development practices.

Chief Fire Officer Ditney Downes in expressing enthusiasm for the project, said, “The enhancements made possible by this initiative will significantly improve our response capabilities and overall effectiveness. We are grateful to CDB for their support in making Saint Lucia safer and more resilient.”

Additional project components include a Maintenance Plan and a Sustainability Management Plan to modernise SLFS operations.

Enhancements to the IT infrastructure will enable data-driven decision-making, furthering the sustainability of sector outcomes.

As the project progresses, the CDB will provide platforms for hands-on collaboration with the Project Implementation Team and other stakeholders to ensure seamless implementation, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to building resilient communities across the Caribbean.