By Sue-Ann Wayow

ALMOST 300 auxiliary fire officers will be absorbed into the main Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS) department.

The announcement came from Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander on Thursday.

During the post Cabinet media briefing, Alexander said 280 auxiliary fire officers will be used to enhance human resource for the TTFS.

He explained, “For the last number of years, the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services after communication with the chief officer has been understaffed…This is a situation where since 2018, November 30 when the then government shut down Petrotrin.

“A number of officers had to be called out to man the fire stations down at Petrotrin headquarters and other areas of concern. So the Cabinet took a decision today to absorb 280 auxiliary fire officers into the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services.”

Alexander added, there was no major cost to the process.

He said after discussions with the chief fire officer , one of the main concerns was the understaffing with a shortage of 420 as at this month.

“We augment the strength and they should have a recruitment taken place in the not too distant future to bring them up to par,” he said.

Answering media questions, Alexander said there was an ongoing assessment of the fire equipment needed also saying there was shortage of equipment and ladders should be maintained.

“We are evaluating what is necessary for them to be on top of their game at this time to make sure that the fire services-all hands on deck with the right equipment on deck for a successful service to members of the public.”

He also spoke about the fire that claimed the lives of former member of parliament for D’Abadie/O’Meara and former government minister Lisa Morris Julian and two of her children in December last year.

He said, “We have perused the document, they want to bring it to members of the public but we want our lawyers to guide us accordingly just before. As soon as we get proper communication from our lawyers, our many attorneys, then we will be able to share with members of the public. We will lay it in Parliament so you can get an understanding of it.

A report into the TTFS’s response to the fire was submitted to the then Ministry of National Security on January 14 but has not yet been made public.

The ministry has also initiated a probe into the fire.

The O’Meara Road was renamed the Lisa Morris-Julian Boulevard in February.