Former divisional officers Dana Lovell and Morris White were today officially promoted to the new rank of Assistant Chief Fire Officers.

Mr Lovell will be responsible for the management and administration of emergency medical services, structural and aircraft rescue firefighting, hazmat and special services to the residents and business community and at the LF Wade International Airport.

Mr White will be responsible for the management and administration of training, information technology, and the human resources sections to ensure that the services are provided in a safe, efficient and economic manner.

Following the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service promotion ceremony at the Clearwater Station, Chief Fire Officer Lloyd Burchall explained how the two positions came into the organisational structure of the service.

He said: “About six years ago, a report of recommendations was made to take away the post of deputy chief and introduce two ACFO positions.

“With the amalgamation of the former Airport Fire Department and the St George’s volunteer section, combined with our increase in size as well as looking at the increasing responsibility of emergency medical services, it was decided that in order to deal with the increased responsibilities, we would have two ACFOs.”

Mr Lovell said: “I feel both honoured and humbled to know that I’ve reached this milestone in my career. I’m delighted.

“For any of those firefighters and officers who aspire to the positions of Assistant Chief or Chief Fire Officer, I would say to stay focused, work hard, and stay abreast of innovation because the fire service is a very dynamic organisation, and you have to be somewhat avant garde in order to remain in touch.

“I would also say to be prepared to go through long periods of privation while abroad for further development training.”

Mr White said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge my wife, who throughout the years has sacrificed as well through all the training I’ve done overseas where she’s had to spend months alone and during times of national emergency during hurricanes where she’s had to batten down the hatches at home by herself. I thank her for her support in my achieving this position today.”