The town of Buff Bay in Portland which has been without the use of a fire truck for months has finally received a unit just in time to deal with numerous fires caused by the dry spell affecting the island.

With recent bush fires in Woodstock, Chepstowe/Bybrook and Bangaridge which threatened life and property, residents who had staged a  peaceful demonstration demanding the use of a fire truck welcomed the arrival of the unit.

West Portland Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz, who was instrumental in securing the unit, said after several requests to the Ministry of Local Government and public calls  he is pleased that his representations have finally borne fruit.

Vaz said that he wished to thank Local Government Minister Noel Arscott, on behalf of the business community and constituents, for his response to what had become an untenable situation given the number of recent fires caused by the continued dry spell.

The MP also used the opportunity to call on his constituents, particularly farmers, to exercise additional care and precaution to prevent the likelihood of fires by ceasing the practice of lighting fires to clear land or to dispose of garbage.

Meanwhile, Vaz also called on the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to immediately activate a protocol among the Rapid Response, National Water Commission and the Parish Council to allow for the trucking of water to be available both to the fire service and communities daily to assist them in fighting fires.