Kingdom fire chiefs plan 2027 training and response projects

Fire chiefs from Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curaçao and the Caribbean Netherlands met in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, to discuss joint work on firefighter training, fire prevention, emergency response and disaster management. The discussions followed an agreement by justice ministers to extend cooperation among Caribbean fire services through 2029.

The ministers agreed to the extension during the Four-Country Justice Consultation in Curaçao on Thursday 3 September. Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel told the Dutch Parliament in a report submitted on 13 October that the fire departments have worked together since 2018 on firefighting, disaster response and crisis management.

The chiefs discussed priorities for 2027, including firefighter professional development, training programmes and fire-service education. A joint secretariat to coordinate activities, monitor agreements and support shared priorities is under consideration, with a proposal being prepared for the next Four-Country Justice Consultation.

The chiefs are scheduled to meet in Bonaire in December to discuss joint action points, annual plans and proposed projects for 2027. The group ordinarily meets three to four times a year, according to the report.