WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas convened a high-level meeting on Friday, October 23, 2026, bringing together government ministers, emergency services, and other authorities to evaluate the response to the major fire that broke out at the Heintje Kool industrial area in Bivak the previous afternoon.
The meeting focused on assessing the measures taken during the emergency, exchanging information among the agencies involved, and coordinating the next steps to strengthen public safety and prevent similar incidents.
Five ministers joined the Prime Minister during the discussions: Justice Minister Shalten Hato, Minister Boekhoudt, Minister Charles Cooper, Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Charetti America-Francisca, and Minister of Economic Development Roderick Middelhof.
Representatives of several government departments and emergency services also attended, including the Curaçao Fire Department, the Curaçao Police Force (KPC), and the Directorate of Risk Management and Disaster Control (DRR).
Other participating agencies included the Environmental and Nature Sector and the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), utility company Aqualectra, and the Curaçao Security Service (VDC).
During the meeting, each organization provided an overview of its responsibilities, the activities carried out during the fire, and the measures implemented to address the emergency.
Particular attention was given to cooperation between the different services and identifying areas where coordination and preparedness could be improved.
The discussions also examined the importance of effective communication and cooperation between government agencies responsible for permits, inspections, and enforcement.
According to the government, better coordination between these institutions is necessary to identify potential risks at an earlier stage and ensure that businesses comply with the conditions attached to their permits.
The fire, which started on Thursday afternoon, October 22, prompted a coordinated response involving several emergency and government services.
The government emphasized that the evaluation was not limited to reviewing the immediate response. It also sought to identify lessons that could strengthen Curaçao's ability to prepare for and manage similar emergencies in the future.
Officials stressed that prevention, emergency preparedness, and public safety must remain central priorities, particularly in industrial areas where fires can present risks to surrounding communities.
The meeting forms part of the government's broader efforts to improve cooperation among public institutions and strengthen the country's approach to disaster prevention and crisis management.