WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Justice has officially handed over four new vehicles to the Curaçao Fire Department as part of a comprehensive modernization initiative. During a ceremony last Friday, Minister of Justice Shalten Hato presented the vehicles, which include two Toyota Hilux pickups, a Toyota 4Runner, and a bus, to the fire brigade. These new additions will be used for daily operations, as well as for training and educational purposes.
The acquisition of these vehicles is part of a broader investment of nearly seven million guilders aimed at enhancing the quality of the island’s fire services. The Toyota Hilux pickups will be deployed for regular operations, while the Toyota 4Runner will be used by the duty officer during incidents requiring their presence.
Additionally, the bus, a Crown Automotives Coaster, will serve for group training and transport purposes. Previously, the fire department only had access to a smaller bus with a capacity of just 11 passengers, but the growing size of the team made a larger vehicle necessary.
Alongside the purchase of new vehicles, the fire department is developing a "coverage plan" to assess the current locations of fire stations and recommend where new stations should be built to improve response times. Experts are currently analyzing optimal locations for these new stations.
The Curaçao Fire Department is also working on digitizing its processes to improve internal coordination and service efficiency. This ongoing modernization will be celebrated during Firefighters’ Day in October, marking a significant step forward for the department.