ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, September 20th, 2011  – The Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Services (VIFRS) is gearing up to celebrate 25 years as a department and 15 years of its Annual Fire Safety Awareness Week in October.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mr. William Penn told the Department of Information and Public Relations that VIFRS was established on April 25, 1986, “in that year we became a separate entity from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force which was responsible for fire fighting.”Mr. Penn added, “As we move forward we will strive to meet the demands of the community and ensure that our people are safe and educated in fire prevention.

Our ongoing goal and objective is to protect life and property from further damage from natural or man-made disasters.”

Mr. Penn also highlighted the significant changes to the fire services which grew from 11 officers to 57 officers presently. He also thanked the first Fire Chief Mr. Collin Graham from the United Kingdom who laid the foundation and his successor Mr. Leando Stoutt who retired this year from the department.

“This year’s theme, Celebrating 25 Years of Educating, Preventing and Protecting for a Safer Community, reflects on what we have accomplished over 25 years as we continue to educate the public in fire prevention by arming all stakeholders with techniques for protecting themselves and property as a means of sustaining the quality of life in the Virgin Islands,” Mr. Penn exclaimed.

Fire Safety Awareness Week is held annually to give fire officers an opportunity to display their skills and tools, which are used to save lives, protect property from destruction by fire and render humanitarian services.

Fire Safety Week is scheduled from October 2 to 9. Activities will target students with a Cadet Training Programme and the public with fire related drills, fire extinguisher and detector training, free installation of child passenger seats, an open house at all fire stations, school fire drills, lectures, sports, a walk-a-thon, and a radio quiz for children on ZBVI’s General Knowledge Quiz.

Persons interested in learning more about Fire Safety Awareness Week can telephone the headquarters at 494-3473 or 468-3701 ext 4267 or 4268.The Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Services Department is charged with the responsibility to protect life and property from the ravages of fire and other natural and man-made disasters.

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