A Spanish owned vessel flying the Seychelles flag ‘Demiku’ caught fire while docked in the island’s port of Victoria today.

According to information received from vessel’s local shipping agent, Hunt Deltel and Co Ltd, ‘Demiku’ arrived in Port Victoria at 7.00am local time today to repair its damaged fishing nets before heading back out to sea.

The Airport Fire & Rescue Services (AFRS) and the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) have once again joined forces to commemorate the International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD).

The two-day activities were officially launched yesterday afternoon by the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan during a ceremony at the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority’s (SCAA) airport fire service station.

The activities, which continue today, are being held under the theme ‘Together we stand united for the Safety of Seychelles’, which overarches the combined efforts that the two services have built and continue to fortify.

The launch ceremony yesterday was attended by chief fire officer (CFO) Andre Morel, the SCAA’s chief executive Gilbert Faure and other high officials of both the SFRSA and of the SCAA.

In his welcoming speech Minister Morgan paid recognition to the role of firefighters, describing it as one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice to keep our families and our communities safe.

Seychelles firefighters and officers from other maritime related agencies are beefing up their knowledge of shipboard fire fighting through a four-day training course.

The training, being held at the Seychelles Coastguard (SCG) base on Ile Perseverance, has brought together personnel from the SCG, the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) and the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority’s (SCAA) fire department.

The training, being run by the US National Guard from the State of Kentucky, USA, follows discussions between officials from the US Department of Defence, the SCG, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SFRSA, the SPA and the SCAA fire service.

President Michel honours Diguois by his presence

The La Digue community had been waiting for it for a long time and it has finally become reality. The island has got its first ever fire station! 

Situated at La Passe behind the island’s police station, the La Digue Fire Station was officially opened yesterday afternoon by the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joël Morgan, in the presence of President James Michel.
Other guests included the chairperson of the La  Digue Trust Fund Lise Bastienne, members of the National Assembly for La Digue and Grand Anse Praslin respectively Chantal Ghislain and Marc Volcère, chief fire officer André Morel, fire officers and other guests.
In his speech, Minister Morgan stated that the station’s opening replies to the government’s commitment to protect human lives as well as the environment. 

He said that the investment towards the people of La Digue was necessary as proved by flooding of January of this year which called for a first intervention from the fire fighters who were already on the island.

‘I love my job and my future is in the SFRSA’

Tally Domingue has been named the best fire officer for 2013 by the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA). 

For the achievement, Miss Domingue received a cup and certificate from Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joël Morgan in a short ceremony at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) conference room earlier this week, during which the agency rewarded its other best officers for the year 2013. 

The station officer, equivalent to the rank of inspector in the police force, and who is now head of the emergency and disaster management unit of the SFRSA, was along with a female colleague Catherina Laurence, the first firewoman to join the then Seychelles Fire Brigade back in 1987. Seven other young girls have since followed in their footsteps.

Fire fighters of the Fire and Rescue Services Agency (FRSA) who have performed admirably this year have been rewarded.

The best fire fighters for 2013 received their prizes and certificates in a short award presentation ceremony at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) conference room earlier this week. 

Present were the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joël Morgan, chief fire officer Andre Morel and his deputy Albert Rose as well as other SFRSA officers.

Added to being the best in her unit, Tally Domingue received the best fire officer award. 

Other officers who have been outstanding in their respective units are Winson Laurence, Peter Cherry, Lester Dogley, Densley Telemaque and Graham Bristol.

During the same ceremony, a group of 56 fire fighting and rescue officers who have during the year successfully completed local as well as overseas training courses were also awarded their certificates. 

The officers have been trained locally in English Proficiency, Leadership and Supervision, Telephone Techniques, Report Writing, First Aid as well as Incident Command and Fire Service.

All the courses were delivered by competent local institutions such as Aldec (Adult Learning and Distance Education Centre), University of Seychelles and the Red Cross Society of Seychelles, except for the training in Incident Command and Fire Service which was led by experts from the South African-based Emergency Training Solutions Centre.