Former PM Hits Out At Fire Response, COI MP Tables Fire Services Bill

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A major blaze at the heart of downtown Nassau destroyed two buildings on Bay Street and the Victoria Court apartment complex.
Fires also ravaged miles of forest in Abaco and, more recently, part of a duplex in Murphy Town, Abaco, over the weekend.

But the devastation didn’t end there, fires also ravaged Grand Bahama, damaging a home.
Islands like the Berry Islands and Eleuthera also fought fires there too.
As we head into the hot summer months, the former prime minister questioned the handling of severe fires.

Dr. Hubert Minnis – Former Prime Minister
“We need to ensure that our fire services can handle the worst-case scenario on each of our main inhabited islands. Here on New Providence, there are multiple hotels, but God forbid if any were affected by fires, do we have the facility to reach that level?”

Dr. Minnis says the system has been in place for decades, suggesting it needs to be upgraded.
Recently, the Free National Movement pledged to commit funds to getting resources for the fire department should they become the next government.
Former National Security Minister Marvin Dames recently said the fire department needs to be a separate entity from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
In Parliament today, Central Grand Bahama MP and COI MP Iram Lewis tabled a bill to do just that. The bill was seconded by Southern Shores and PLP MP Leroy Major.

Iram Lewis – Member of Parliament, Central Grand Bahama
“Madam Speaker, it is with immense pleasure that I stand to lay, for the first time, the Bahamas National Rescue Fire and Rescue Services Bill 2025. A bill for an act to establish the Bahamas National Rescue Fire and Rescue Services Bill 2025, to provide for the separation of fire services from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and for connected matters.”