Bajan Fire Fighters Blog

Acting Station Officer Christopher Ricardo Edwards rode on many fire trucks during his 35-year fire fighting career, only this time he did not get off to battle a raging blaze. Yesterday, his flag draped casket on top the Bronco turntable fire truck, flanked by fire officers, rolled slowly into the St Lucy’s Parish Church, thronged by mourners who gathered to bid farewell to Edwards who died on December 15, electrocuted by a live power cable while responding to a fire in Station Hill, St Peter. Edwards, who lived at Reservoir Road, Ashton Hall, in the same parish, was laid to rest in the churchyard of All Saints Anglican Church after being eulogised for his selfless dedication, loyalty and friendliness. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Lucene Wharton-Issac, Cabinet Ministers and other heads of departments and representatives of fire services across the region, headed the list of officials who paid th...

Former Acting Station Officer Christopher "German" Edwards spent his last day at Barbados Fire Service headquarters on Probyn Street today. And it was an emotional time for many who knew the 57-year-old fireman, who died in a freak accident on December 15 in Station Hill, St Peter. He was electrocuted while handling a high tension wire when he and a crew responded to a call of a house fire. Many tears were shed as fire fighters filed past the body of the veteran officer as others formed a guard of honour. From 10 this morning until 3 p.m., hundreds of Barbadians also paid their last respects to the fire officer who will be laid to rest tomorrow at the All Saints Church, St. Peter after a service at the St. Lucy Parish Church at 3 p.m. The Ashton Hall, St. Peter resident joined the service 35 years ago, with Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall. (DS) Source: BarbadosToday.bb 2010/12/29

Scores of people passed through the Barbados Fire Service’s headquarters in Bridgetown yesterday, with the sole purpose of paying their respects to the first ever fire officer to lose his life in the line of duty on the island. Christopher Edwards, 57, from Ashton Hall, St. Peter, died last week Wednesday when he was electrocuted after coming in contact with a live Barbados Light & Power cable. He was responding to an emergency call in Station Hill, St. Peter. Family, friends and colleagues – all proudly wearing pins displaying an image of Christopher – were allowed to view his body, which was closely guarded by two fire officers for the duration of the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. viewing. Many persons who did not know him also expressed to this newspaper that they felt the need to take the time to pay their respects. As mourners entered the Probyn Street building, most signed the two condolence books that were provided before greeting Edwards’ wife, Cheryl, and moving on to view the body. M...

The Barbados Fire Service is cognisant of the energy, the excitement and the emphasis which is associated with the traditions of this Yuletide season. It is a time when no effort is spared to convey to all relatives, neighbours and friends the spirit of love, gratitude and goodwill. The exercise of these attributes is best received when your manner is cheerful but in the delivery you must be careful. When every scenario you imagine seems to be going according to plan, there is the tendency to become complacent and to lose focus of the basic but essential principles of safety and due care. The consequences of an error in judgment because you have pushed yourself to the limit to accomplish last-minute preparations can incur significant loss of property and sometimes life. The Barbados Fire Service is committed to the reduction of property damage and loss. Our commitment is no less fervent when it comes to the preservation of life. We as a society endured the horror of fatalities by fire ...

We extend our very best wishes for the Holiday Season. We wish you an abundance of friends, happiness, good health, peace and love... Merry Christmas to you all.

Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall is urging Barbadians to exercise caution and due vigilance on fire safety, especially during this season. He stated that although the department was prepared to handle any emergency which may arise, it would be placing ads and messages in the public domain to reinforce safety measures. "I would really like to see a significant reduction in the number of fires. I am concerned that we have gone past the amount of structural fires this year, compared to last year and this is a great worry for me, because this department spends a lot of time and energy on programmes educating the public about fire safety. That is where we put our focus, in an effort to reduce damage to property in this country," Marshall stressed. Noting that the loss of a house significantly impacts upon a family, the fire chief intimated that once a tragedy of this magnitude occurs the entire chain is affected. "We can stop this through our fire prevention information, b...

Chief Fire Officer Wilfred Marshall and several members of the Barbados Fire Service, Happy Crew community group and residents of St Peter came out this morning to the area where acting Station Officer Edwards was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday. During the brief ceremony a wreath was laid near the spot where Edwards died. Tributes were also presented by his wife Cheryl and Fire Chief Wilfred Marshall with Reverend Curtis Goodridge a close friend of Edwards as the officiating Minister.

The Barbados Fire Service today mourns the tragic loss of one of its members. Acting Station Officer Christopher Edwards was killed in the line of duty last night after he came into contact with a live power line after responding to an emergency call. Reports indicate that Edwards was electrocuted at the scene of the emergency call. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, relatives, friends and all members of the Barbados Fire Service during this time of profound loss. Please note that tributes, condolences and other expressions of sympathy can be posted via our Facebook page under the topic "Fire Service Condolences" located in the discussions forum, see link below. http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=125955502598&topic=11431

Barbados' chief fire officer Wilfred Marshall says his officers are moving to improve their certification locally. Moments after receiving several pieces of equipment from the Florida-based Hillsborough Community College, the fire chief said that they were currently working with the Barbados Community College to get an associate degree programme in fire science going. "That is being worked on as we speak. This is a collaboration between the Barbados Community College and Hillsborough Community College. There are a number of little details to be worked out," he said, adding that the parties involved met as recently as yesterday to discuss the developments. Dean of the associate science programmes at Hillsborough, Jack Evans said that they were working on an arrangement where when trainers from that Community College provided instruction to local fire officers, the BCC would receive the grades and be able to apply them to the transcripts of those officers here towards their...

Here is another informative video from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to offer you guidance during this festive season. Remember: "Don't invite FIRE to your holiday celebrations."

The holiday season is a prime time for accidents to happen. Seasonal food preparation, decorations and Christmas lighting are the leading causes of accidental fires occurring during the festive period. The following informative video from the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is presented for your information.

Here is another informative video by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) about live Christmas trees and the appropriate precautions to be observed during the festive season. Should you have questions or need clarification feel free to contact us: bajanfirefighters@gmail.com

The Holiday Season is with us once again, and so we present these helpful fire safety tips to guide you as your preparations for the festive season continues. This video is brought to you by the National Fire Protection Association.... Remember be fire smart.