Barbados Fire Service Launches 2026 Fire Service Week With Public Events

Summary

Updated Sep 29, 2026

Fire Service Week began September 28 with a thanksgiving service and public health and service-information activities.CBC Barbados +1
Twenty new firefighters completed training, but the service remains 25 to 30 officers short and continues recruiting.CBC Barbados +1
Government plans to broaden the Fire Service’s emergency-response role through modernisation.CBC Barbados
The Fire Academy faces an international accreditation assessment, while officials cite shortages of training space and equipment.Barbados Today

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Coverage

Sep 29, 2026

Fire service ‘still 25 to 30 short’ despite new recruits

The Barbados Fire Service is still short 25 to 30 officers despite 20 new firefighters graduating last week, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick said. He urged qualified people to join as the service continues recruiting, while Fire Service Week also includes free public health checks and a memorial fun day for the late Divisional Officer Wayne Vaughan.

Sep 28, 2026

Barbados Fire Service promotes healthy living

The Barbados Fire Service hosted a Health Day at the Cadogan, Mayers, Marshall Emergency Services Complex as part of Fire Service Week, giving students and the public access to health and service information booths. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick stressed the value of health checks and urged more people to join the service, which still has vacancies.

Sep 28, 2026

Government to modernise Barbados Fire Service

Government plans to transform the Barbados Fire Service into a broader emergency response organisation, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Gregory Nicholls said at a thanksgiving service launching Fire Service Week 2026. He said the modernisation is meant to help the service meet changing demands and improve its future role in national emergency response.

Sep 26, 2026

Fire Academy preps for global accreditation

Barbados Fire Academy will undergo international accreditation assessment in about two weeks, a move Chief Fire Officer Errol Maynard said could make Barbadian firefighters’ qualifications recognised overseas and strengthen regional cooperation. The announcement came as 20 recruits graduated after completing firefighting and EMT training, while the service also highlighted shortages in training space and equipment.

Sep 25, 2026

Barbados Fire Service welcomes 20 new firefighters

Barbados has 20 new firefighters after Cohort 42 completed six months of training in fire suppression, rescue operations and emergency medical response. Minister of Home Affairs Gregory Nicholls said the government is modernising the Fire Service to strengthen disaster resilience and improve emergency response.