SLFSA Chairman Shane Felix
The Government of Saint Lucia had engaged the services of Local Partnerships, a UK based company, in 2015 to undertake a thorough review of the Saint Lucia Fire Service (SLFS).
The British technical assistance for the reform of the SLFS is the result of a request for assistance from Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony to the Resident British Commissioner in Saint Lucia.
So far, the review has been completed and a report was handed to the government in early March, according to President of the Saint Lucia Fire Service Association (SLFSA), Shane Felix.
Felix said the team has started consultations between the SLFSA, the management of SLFS and members of staff, to ensure that there is cooperation at all levels before and after implementation of these recommendations.
“I thought there was going to be an immediate presentation on that, but there was none. But they did inform us that they have submitted their recommendations, Felix stated.
The SLFSA head said he hopes that this does not become another rejected report, with no prospects for implementation.
“I really hope it’s not. From the consultants’ point of view, they were very professional. They are concerned about their findings and the implementation of those recommendations submitted.”
During the deliberations, they spoke about some of the recommendations, but did not divulge much details. The team has also presented a priority list to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“They have gone even further by recommending as well that during the process of implementing those recommendations that a review team should follow up on the progress,” he explained.
One of the recommendations made is to include an additional rank in the department’s structure.
“We are very thankful that they have not just gone and submit a report and left, but they started a consultation process and are assisting to see how the recommendations could be implemented,” Felix said.
The team was tasked with conducting an assessment of the organisational structure of the SLFS and recommend on the optimum structure and configuration for a modern, efficient Fire Service.
They were also required to provide a commentary on existing employee relations and make recommendations for suggested amendments and improvements, among other things.
Felix said his association has written the Home Affairs Ministry, Public Service Ministry and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to meet with them to discuss other outstanding issues.
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