From left: President of the SCDF Mike Granger, board member of the SCDF Roland Rommy, Edelmiro Jansen of the Ministry of VROMI, Kirk Richardson and Silvanico Pauletta of the Fire Department, Alvin "Angie" Daniel of the Ambulance Department, Police Inspector Ricardo Henson and Police Commissioner Carl John
The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) continued with early preparations on Thursday by meeting with emergency entities to discuss Carnival 2013.
Calling the services "emergency partners" President of the SCDF Mike Granger chaired the meeting that included Police, Fire Department, Ambulance and the Ministry of Public Housing and Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI.
Granger explained that safety and security for Carnival is at the top of the list of things the foundation and its emergency partners "must ensure" in order for carnival to be successful. He praised the relationship forged over the last few years with the aforementioned entities.
"Open, professional communication has led to very safe Carnival festivities. If there is one thing all of us agree on is there will be no compromise on safety and security. We might have some leeway here and there for certain aspects in Carnival, but never for the safety and security aspects," Granger said.
He said the meeting focused on the schedule for Carnival 2013, discussion of jump-up routes, inspection of trucks among others. The SCDF will also meet with each emergency partner separately in the coming weeks to go over specific aspects as they relate to the specific emergency service.
Granger said the public will be apprised accordingly about every safety and security measure that will be implemented to ensure not only a fun Carnival, but a safe one as well.