Fire chief promises Caymanian succession
Chief Fire Officer David Hails answers questions from the Finance Committee
(CNS): The British fire service expert who took over the Cayman Islands Fire Service earlier this year against a backdrop of controversy that a local chief fire officer could not be found has promised that he will train staff so that a Caymanian can take his job in the next few years. David Hails told Finance Committee that he had adopted an open scheme to empower firefighters from top to bottom and set a full succession plan in motion. He said a recruitment process would begin to fill the vacant positions in the fire service once all of the job descriptions had been confirmed.
Hails has some 40 years experience in the fire service in the UK, eight of which were spent heading up an international training centre. He arrived here in the midst of a heated public debate after the home affairs ministry had to look outside the Cayman Islands to find a new fire chief.
Exactly one year ago, speaking in the Finance Committee proceedings for the 2015/16 budget, Premier Alden McLaughlin, who as home affairs minister is responsible for the fire service, stated that he would not back the recruitment of a foreign fire chief, describing it as a “retrograde step of the highest magnitude” after almost 60 years of Caymanians heading up the service.
But last week the premier sat quietly by Hails during the Finance Committee deliberations for the 2016/17 eighteen-month budget as the new CFO answered questions about mould at the fire stations, training and succession planning from Bernie Bush (West Bay).
Hails revealed that there is mould at all the fire stations because the air conditioning units have not been replaced since Hurricane Ivan. He said an assessment was underway to find out what was needed, as he assured members there were plans to repair and replace the air-conditioning system and tackle the mould problem as quickly as possible.
As an experienced training officer, Hails told the committee that he had already begun a succession plan by creating opportunities for every firefighter in the service to excel and attend specialist courses.
“I have set tasks for any firefighter to take part in and sent people to the States on visits,” he said, as he explained officers had recently returned from Dallas airport, where they had reviewed the latest technology in putting out fires. To select the officers he had asked everyone to submit their ideas on a fire fighting procedure and used that as a basis for selection.
Hails explained that the modern public service requires business planning to manage departments and enhancements. He said he was asking his officers of every rank and position to submit a business plan to prepare them for management and develop their skills.
He said that “some people have taken that on board” but some have not, and pointed out that business plans are an intrinsic part of running a department and anyone who wants to progress will need to realise that. “Everything we do is based on business planning.”
All members supported the appropriations, totalling more than $16.9 million, for the forthcoming 18-month period.
See the proceedings on the CIGTV video starting at 1:16.
Category: Government Finance, Jobs, Local News, Politics
Well I must say that I detest the word Caymanian myself at times but it was proven that the Fire Department had some of the smartest guys around and like was once said that there was a man there for just any problem that could arise. They were all Caymanians, unless one want to say Caymanians and Cayman Bracers. I recently met a Brac Fire Officer at the Airport who told me that he is now working at the Cayman Fire Department and will soon be sent off on training, This Young man impressed me tremendously. I would want to believe that one day he could be the next Caymanian Fire Chief. Such a well put together young man.
These MLAs are so uneducated about emergency services in the Cayman Islands. The Fire Service has a great leader in charge that is educated and experienced. With a budget of 16.9 millions dollars for an 18-month period, there should be no reason that goals set should no be accomplished. Wish I could say the same for our Emergency Medical Service (Ambulance Service) that have to raise funds to buy ONE new ambulance.
The West Bay MLAs who are the fire service’s MLAs are not interested in anything about people having the skills for the job or foolishness like that. They just want a Caymanian. Full stop. Period.That’s all. If you’re a Caymanian, you are brilliant and have what it takes (The Ezzard Doctrine). Same in Customs but the PPM outfoxed them by putting Chuckie there.
It’s appropriate the fire service is taken care of, I do agree. But 18 million dollars…. And we have to have a 5k walk to get an ambulance??
There are two types of Caymanians. Those who love Cayman and those who love money.
Mold again? As glass house? Who responsible for maintenance?
Mould: we spell British here!
Looking at the Committee Members, one question springs to mind. Are they playing Candy Crush, betting on the Online Slots, cruising Facebook or dealing with important Matters of State on their mobile devices? (In one case, I sincerely hope he was manipulating an unseen mobile device on his lap!) However, they sure as sh*t, ain’t following the testimony and questioning being put before the Committee. OK, these are important people who dedicate every waking moment to serving us as our elected representatives. However, if you are a member of such a Committee, show some respect to the people appearing before you and the members of the public who elected you to serve us on the Committee. How can you hold government to account (or defend the record of government) if you are spending your time like this. May I suggest #respect_the_ppl?
Bring in more sexy firemen.=!!! Whichever MLA facilitates this, will get the female vote! Same with the police officers.
Just bring in the sexy ones!!!
They could have the local ones do a bit more than play dominoes all day. These guys are supposed to be in amazing shape. Not necessarily 3% body fat, but definitely not the percentage that I see these guys walking around the belly.
Then they could fund their own department by selling calendars!
Good idea! Those beefcake fireman calendars are huge in the gay community.
Oh yes please! 911 my house is on fire! Send the sexy ones to come and rescue me.
Make sure you send the highly skilled ones with the big hose!! *wink*
Well done Mr Hails. Make people work for their promotions instead if giving it just because of nationality. This culture of expectation and entitlement is what holds Cayman back from being the world class society it pretends to be. The best person for the job…..end!
Driftwood?
Well you don’t suppose one of our esteemed leaders suddenly got a whole lot wiser do you?