WILLEMSTAD – The renovation of the Barber Fire and Ambulance Station will include new occupational health and safety measures designed to reduce firefighters' exposure to hazardous contaminants, Justice Minister Shalten Hato announced.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Hato said recent studies have shown that firefighting carries significant long-term health risks due to exposure to smoke and hazardous chemicals released during fires and other emergency incidents.
As a result, occupational hygiene has become one of the government's priorities in the redesign of the station.
The renovated facility will incorporate a "clean working" system that separates potentially contaminated areas from clean zones within the building. Equipment and clothing exposed to smoke or hazardous substances will be isolated from living and operational areas, helping prevent cross-contamination and reducing health risks for firefighters.
According to Hato, the new design reflects international best practices aimed at protecting emergency responders from prolonged exposure to carcinogens and other harmful substances encountered during firefighting operations.
The minister said the project demonstrates the government's commitment not only to improving emergency services for the public but also to investing in the well-being of firefighters and ambulance personnel.
"Our firefighters and ambulance staff deserve our respect every day," Hato said. "They also deserve our investment as the Government of Curaçao."
The Barber station renovation is part of a broader modernization program that has included investments in new fire engines, rescue vehicles, specialized equipment, and training, with plans also underway to build a new central fire station in the Montaña Abou area to strengthen emergency coverage in eastern Curaçao.