Fire Chief Vincent Hollinsid says the merger of Bermuda's fire services will expand resources and manpower therefore providing a better service to the Island.

On Sunday, the St. George's Fire Brigade, the Bermuda International Airport Fire Services and the Bermuda Fire Service became the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.

Combining the departments means increased purchasing power for fire fighting equipment and an increase in the number of people able to respond to emergencies by 40.

Mr. Hollinsid said: "The merger improves what we have and gives us extra resources. We have additional manpower because now St. George's can respond to any incident.

"Before the volunteer fire brigade was under the control of the Corporation of St. George's and could not respond outside of the area."

The merger comes after a UK team of experts carried out inspection of Bermuda's fire services and recommended combining the different departments in 2003.

The amalgamation will expand the abilities of the St. George's volunteers, however it also meant terminating a contract with BAS/Serco, which provided the Airport fire service.

Mr. Hollinsid, said all of the staff at the Airport have signed contracts to work for the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and Gareath Adderley, former Fire Chief of the St. George's Service and a 28-year brigade veteran, was also offered a position and declined.

Other changes to come from the recommendations include the Clearwater Fire service moving into the newly renovated Airport Fire Service building and new uniform for the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.

Mr. Hollinsid added: "The new volunteers at the St. George's Brigade will go through basic training and some who have been there for three or four years will go through a refresher course so we all adopt the same policies.

"It is a good thing for Bermuda and we're looking forward to working together."