During his contribution to the 2025-2026 budget debate in the senate this week, Sen. Hon. Darren Henfield outlined the Free National Movement’s (FNM) plans for the establishment of a stand alone fire department.

He said, “the head of the newly established department will report directly to the minister responsible for fire services not to the Commissioner of Police as is currently the case. Our rationale is simple. A stand alone fire department with its own chief will allow much more dedicated and undivided focus and attention to fighting fires.”

The Senator went further saying the FNM’s plan would free up police officers to concentrate solely on policing. “These firefighter may be recruited from our various family islands, trained and then returned to their respective islands to work in the fire services,” Henfield said.