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Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 21, 2016 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Services (SKNFRS) has a new tool that will enhance its ability to successfully extinguish fires and reduce the amount of time spent searching for individuals in need of rescue.

Three thermal imaging cameras that detect heat signatures in five different settings were donated to the agency on Thursday (January 21) by Regiwell Francis of St. Kitts Marine Works.

“In a building, you may have a transformer or a switch. They may be emitting heat or may be defective. This unit will show it,” he said, while holding up the device for fire officers present at the handing over ceremony at the Basseterre Fire Station. “If you have to be searching for somebody who [may] be lost in the bush you can use this. It will penetrate right through the bush and the heat signature will be visible in this unit.”

The donation was inspired due to the professional courtesy of officers from the SKNFRS during recent brush fires close to Mr. Francis’ business at New Guinea. On one particular occasion, the officers had to return to the scene to extinguish flames that generated from a hotspot of an earlier fire that same day. The entrepreneur noted that the devices will help to reduce such occurrences.

Fire Chief, Everett O’Garro, said the presentation to the SKNFRS is symbolic of the type of partnerships needed between the public and private sector, describing it as “a demonstration of what a good citizen does.”

“The equipment that he is donating places us at the top … as it pertains to major rescue operations,” Chief O’Garro said. “I want to promise you that this equipment will definitely be used to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the service that we provide to the general public.”

The ceremony was attended by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Osmond Petty, who accepted the devices from Mr. Francis and then turned them over to Fire Chief O’Garro. Two of the thermal cameras will be placed in St. Kitts and the other in Nevis.