It's an island nicknamed La Isla Bonita, but the fact is that if a fire
started downtown on a windy day, San Pedro could quickly become La Isla
Quemada. Tonight, however, San Pedranos have reason to sleep a little
bit sounder.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Last December a fire on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye destroyed two
buildings and left several people homeless. It is believed that had the
town's residents not formed a bucket brigade, the damage would have been
greater and the Fire Department was heavily criticized for not being
properly equipped to handle the blaze. Today, the situation has been
drastically improved with the acquisition of two new fire tenders,
portable pump and other equipment.
Denice Plummer, Officer in Charge, San Pedro Fire Service
"It is a great benefit to the department out here. We have been
struggling with only one truck for a long time that has been having a
lot of problems. We recently get a new one from the government and an
additional one today."
The first fire truck, which costs three hundred and fifteen thousand
dollars, was purchased by the Government of Belize. The brand new truck
has the capacity to pump a thousand gallons of water per minute. The
other fire-fighting machine is a gift from the Mayor of Cherryville,
North Carolina and San Pedro resident, Ramon Nunez, Sr.
Ramon Nunez, Sr., Citizen
"The way I got this fire truck here in San Pedro, was from a friend that
use to stay at Ramon's, Mr. Robby Robson. Talking to him on the phone,
he asked me... He heard about the fire, somebody called him and he said
"Well it was a bad fire, so let's see what I can do to help you Mr.
Nunez". So three weeks ago he called me and he said he went to the mayor
of Cherryville and the mayor went to the fire department and they had
this truck that they were going to dump, because in the States they have
requirements about the equipment they use. So they decide that instead
of dumping it, give it to the town of San Pedro. That's the way how it
happened."
Jacqueline Woods
"I understand it only cost a dollar."
Ramon Nunez
"One dollar."
Ground was also broken for the construction of a new firehouse. The two
storey concrete building will be built in two phases.
Denice Plummer
"This is the first phase of a new building that is going to be a new
fire station and resident quarters. This section is the fire station
which will include office and recreational facilities."
However, as San Pedro Fire Service expands, there is a need for more
volunteer fire fighters. If you are interested in joining the force, you
are asked to get in contact with the National Fire Service in Belize
City.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
