FIRE Services vehicles parked at the South Fire Station lull people into a false sense of security, said firemen speaking anonymously.

They say the true picture of the country’s Fire Services, altogether, has not been told.

Much has been said about the inability of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services in the wake of multi-million-dollar fires at major businesses this year; while the Chief Fire Officer’s competence is being brought into question as is his appointment and alleged association with “the right people”.

City Mayor Ian Atherly has also come in for some flak because his promised hose-laying lorry for the San Fernando Fire Station turned out to be an ambulance converted to carry hoses and which was not insured and not approved or sanctioned by the Licensing Authority or Transport Commissioner.

Another complaint by disgruntled firemen is that several stations have been condemned by the Health Department for being without portable pumps, ladders, basic fire fighting equipment, chainsaws, salvage sheets, stationery and station diaries.

Appliances at the San Fernando Fire Station often break down, they add, forcing officers to make frequent visits to various stations in the district.

“I heard Acting Chief Fire Officer Carl Scipio say that upgrading fire equipment was necessary, but doesn’t he know that the salt water system has been defunct for years?

“The statement of having ‘created a new fire technique’ which makes fire-fighters less dependant on hydrants is laughable and I boldly speak on behalf of fire fighters in South who, over the years, have been treated as the bastard children, being handed reject items from the North headquarters.

“When most of this was exposed on a radio station, two senior officers were sent on suspension but further exposure had them (the authorities) stammering and they evaded questions from the media.

“Nearly everything exposed was answered with ‘Well … we will look into that’.”

Yet another source blamed a senior official for the mysterious disappearance of a large sum of money kept for charitable purposes.

The Belmont Fire Station in the North is also said to be in dire need of repairs and new equipment.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Clyde Ramsaroop referred TnT Mirror to Public Relations Officer Kenrick Bethelmy who, up to Presstime, could not be reached for comment.