The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service has received four newly repaired ambulances, enhancing its ability to respond to emergencies.
The vehicles were delivered to the Ministry of Homeland Security for use by the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Thursday, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Eli Zakour said the four ambulances had been out of service for extended periods but have now been repaired and returned to operation.
“In December of last year, 52 police vehicles were handed over in a matter of three weeks. I am happy today as we are handing over these four ambulances to the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service. This ambulance has been parked up for over three years, others for close to a year. So I want to thank the VMCOTT team for their tireless efforts in making this happen.”
Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, said the additional ambulances will help restore a critical gap in emergency services.
“This is all about giving back service to members of the public. It is about providing that service, that missing link. We are able to fill that void so now an additional four ambulances can go back onto the nation’s streets and service the people.”
The Homeland Security Minister noted that the initiative originated with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
“I want to thank the honourable Prime Minister, Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar, for her vision and this initiative because without this those ambulances would still be lying there. So again, we want to thank the Prime Minister. And it’s all about the Prime Minister’s service to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Staffed by emergency technicians, fire service ambulances are specialised vehicles equipped to transport sick or injured people to medical facilities, a service that citizens can access for free.