Being a fireman or firewoman is one of the most underappreciated jobs in Belize – not least of that is the fact that the general public accuses them of reaching every fire late, not having water and letting the fire spread – criticisms that in most cases are unwarranted. But today we met a team of young recruits who are ready to take on all those challenges – here they are.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
In May, twenty four recruits started training to be fire fighters. Today that number that has dropped to twenty two.
Kenneth Mortis, Training Officer – National Fire Service
“One just couldn’t keep up and the second one was for medical reasons but they are more than welcome to come and give it another shot at the next recruiting drive. If everything goes the way we want it, we should have our next recruiting drive sometime August or maybe September.”
But with only about one month and half to go in this first fire fighting training the question is just how many of these twenty one young men and one woman will be in our next intake of fulltime fire fighters?
Kenneth Mortis,
“We are hoping to have all 22 but it is their personal drive. If they want to be a fireman, they have to ensure that they do whatever it takes to be successful at the end of July. In a worse case scenario, just give and take, let’s say we’ll settle for 90% to 95% but if we have 100% then we’ll be happy with that.”
The National Fire Service is greatly understaffed countrywide and it is the hope that such training exercise will help to boost their human fire fighting power.
Kenneth Mortis,
“Right now we have the guys doing basic hose running. We don’t have any water running through as yet. We need them to get used to running hose before we give them water in the hose. Of course running a hose that is charged will be a challenge for them to over come and that should be done sometime this week.”
And while the training is being conducted on the Yarborough Green along the shoreline of the Caribbean Sea, the exercise is far from being laid back. And the only female recruit Briana Milligan is determined to overcome those difficulties.
Briana Milligan, Recruit Firefighter
“And believe me it is something I wanted to do long time.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
How you’re finding the training?
Briana Milligan,
“At first it was rough but I done get used to it already.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
I understand you’re giving these young men a bit of a challenge.
Briana Milligan,
“Some of them yes.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
You’re a BDF volunteer I understand so do you believe this gives you an advantage over the men?
Briana Milligan,
“Yes ma’am cause I done get used to this already.”
Kenneth Mortis,
“She is active BDF volunteer and she wanted something challenging so is here with us with these other guys pulling her weight, and if I may say, she is giving the guys a bit of challenge as well.”
The recruits are learning just about everything there is to know in fire fighting.
Kenneth Mortis,
“When it comes to hose running, pump operation, breathing apparatus. Whatever has to do with fire, they will know.”
Those who succeed will be dispatched to fire stations and substations across the country. Jacqueline Godwin reporting fro 7News.
