New fire tender leaving the Fire Station.
ANGUILLA–Anguilla’s new state-of-the-art fire and rescue tender, the Rosenbauer Panther Crash tender, was officially introduced to the public on Monday, December 31, when it was blessed by Reverend Bishop Brooks and then driven from the firehouse into the open to demonstrate a sampling of its capabilities, as described by Chief Fire Officer Shondell Hodge.
Hodge said, “The Panther crash tender is a high performance vehicle equipped with a multi-functional air-conditioned cab that can seat up to six firefighters, a solution system capable of producing water, foam and dry powder and a camera system which allows the vehicle’s operator to see the surrounding area from within the cab.” Capable of accelerating from 0 to 80 miles per hour in less than 35 seconds, it has a water capacity of 10,400 litres and a foam capacity of 1,250 litres.
Hodge said, “A vital component of the aviation industry rests with the airport’s fire rescue capability of both the firemen and the equipment, to save lives and protect property. The first responding fire tender and team must be in place to begin firefighting within two minutes, with any remaining tenders responding within three minutes. This vehicle allows us to create a safer environment for our passengers, operating crews and firefighters. These are very exciting times for Anguilla’s Fire and Rescue Service.”
Deputy Governor Perin Bradley thanked the Fire and Rescue team for their dedication, and said it was necessary that the government provide them with the best equipment and facilities. He said, “In total, the British government would have spent close to five million pounds sterling for the new equipment and the new fire station facility.” He said the fire industry improvements were good not only for safety, but also for economic development as the new fire tender now rates the airport with Category 5 status, meaning that larger aircraft can use the airport.
Minister of Infrastructure Curtis Richardson praised the firefighting team, noting its successful efforts following Hurricane Irma to demonstrate its capability to meet international fire and rescue response time standards despite equipment challenges. He said the team had worked tirelessly to overcome the equipment challenges and had been able to achieve the certification threshold requirements necessary to keep the airport open. He said receipt of the Rosenbauer Panther crash tender would be followed shortly by two additional tenders.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/84133-capabilities-soar-for-anguilla-s-airport-fire-and-rescue-service
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