BERMUDA's Fire Service has addressed growing concerns that its newest fire trucks are too large to fit down some of the island's narrow, winding roads.

Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid told the Mid-Ocean News that 2009 will see the Fire Service refurbish some of the older, smaller trucks in its fleet in an effort to provide access to narrow roads like those in the town of St. George's.

He also confirmed that the Fire Service would work hand-in-hand with the Department of Works & Engineering to identify every road in Bermuda that is currently inaccessible by fire truck or ambulance, in the hope that these lanes can be widened.

Mr. Hollinsid spoke to the Mid-Ocean News in response to the concerns of a resident of Between the Walls, a narrow lane off Pitts Bay Road. The resident contacted both the Fire Service and his MP for Pembroke South West, Louise Jackson, asking whether smaller trucks were needed to access roads such as Between the Walls.

"I'm sure there are a huge number of homes in Bermuda, not just in my constituency, that are not accessible by fire trucks," Mrs. Jackson said. "It needs to be addressed. There should be at least one smaller truck for narrow roads."

Mr. Hollinsid agreed that there are a number of roads in Bermuda that cannot be accessed by fire truck in case of emergency. However, he stressed that the four newest Spartan fire trucks in the island's fleet, purchased last year, are actually no wider than the Service's older trucks.

"For the last ten to 15 years, fire trucks have all been eight feet wide," Mr. Hollinsid, a 39-year veteran of the Fire Department, said.

"The only difference between the older trucks and the new ones that came in last year is eight inches of height. They are slightly taller. We have narrow roads in Bermuda that no fire trucks have ever been able to reach."

Mr. Hollinsid said that one of the old, shorter Mack Renault fire trucks is currently in Canada being refurbished for use on Bermuda's smaller roads. It will be based in St. George's, where some of the island's most narrow thoroughfares can be found, for use by the volunteer fire service.

There are three other old trucks that will be sent off for repairs soon, for use by the Fire Service in their Port Royal, Clearwater and Hamilton Police Stations respectively.

"We're aware of all the narrow roads in Bermuda," he said.

"Instead of getting rid of older vehicles, we've embarked on a programme of refurbishment."

Mr. Hollinsid dismissed Mrs. Jackson's calls for one smaller truck for Bermuda's narrowest roads, citing the great expense of such a purchase. He is confident that the Fire Service's equipment is sufficient to access houses down winding roads, but also hopes to work with residents of inaccessible areas, as well as the Department of Works & Engineering, to widen access points for fire trucks and ambulances.

"If we were to look at a smaller vehicle, it'd be an expensive operation," he said.

"We have the equipment, the hoses and 2,000-gallon water tankers. If there is an area we can't access, we can pump the water up. We are also allowed, thanks to the Fire Services Act of 1982, to access anyone's water tank without their permission to extinguish any fire. We do have the equipment to deal with this."

He cited one particular area of the island where residents took their concerns about fire truck access into their own hands.

"There is an area called Tranquillity Hill in Southampton West that is very difficult for ambulances and fire trucks to access," he said.

"We had discussions with Works & Engineering and residents, and they widened the road. This is the same recommendation we made to the people of Between the Walls."