A bill to merge Bermuda’s fire services was passed yesterday with all-party support.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief said a review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate and by Government’s own Management Services had recommended it would improve efficiency by having everything under one command structure, to be known as the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service. He said all airport firefighters had signed up to the amalgamated service, which also brings in the St. George’s volunteer service, and that the new structure had begun earlier this year.

While expressing support for the general concept, United Bermuda Party leader Michael Dunkley said the proper procedure was to pass legislation then make changes rather than the other way around. He urged Government to exercise fiscal restraint with the newly enlarged service. Opposition Labour and Immigration Minister Trevor Moniz voiced fears about St. George’s coverage, given the reoccurring mechanical problems on Longbird Bridge and the Swing Bridge — a situation all the more worrying given that both Shell and Esso had fuel storage in the East End.

He also raised concerns about an airport fire truck worth nearly $400,000 which was wrecked in a training exercise and called for the new fire service to release annual reports to Parliament, just like the Police. Mr. Perinchief said the insurance company had picked up the cost for the wrecked truck. Under the Fire Services Amendment Act 2007, the Chief Fire Officer will be able to delegate to other fire officers “any of the powers, duties and functions of the Chief Fire Officer”. This excludes the power to make Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service General Orders.

Under the Act, any fire engines, assets or firefighting equipment belonging to the Corporation of St. George’s will be transferred to the Government. The St. George’s Fire Brigade is now incorporated into the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.

The Fire Services Amendment Act 2007 establishes the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service as a Government Department — replacing the Fire Services Department. As well as the new name, the Service gains more responsibility. The purpose of the Bill is stated as: “to make the Service responsible for the provision of fire and rescue services for the whole of Bermuda, including the Airport and St. George’s, where services are presently provided separately”.

The General Manager of Bermuda’s airport is also represented on the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service Advisory Board.

Dr. Grant Gibbons, for the Opposition, asked whether the Corporation of St. George’s would receive any payment for the transfer of assets and equipment to the Government. He also asked whether the Corporation would pay anything to the Government for the new service.