File photo of fire trucks/ March 3, 2025

**Government adds new water tankers to strengthen fire service response**

The government has completed the procurement and delivery of two new water tankers to support the operations of the National Fire Service, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing.

Merchant said Cabinet was advised by the attorney general that the newly acquired tankers are intended to strengthen emergency response capabilities across the country.

“The government has successfully completed the procurement and delivery of two water tankers to support the operations of the National Fire Service,” Merchant said.

He said the new equipment will complement the existing fleet of 19 fire tenders operating across Antigua and Barbuda, including Barbuda, and is expected to “significantly strengthen the fire service’s emergency response capacity.”

According to Merchant, the tankers have water storage capacities of 2,000 gallons and 3,500 gallons, providing additional supply during firefighting operations.

“The enhanced water-carrying capability will serve to reduce the likelihood of water shortages during intense or prolonged fire incidents,” he said.

Merchant said the addition of the two new tankers brings the total number of water tankers in the system to three.

“It is anticipated that one will be placed at the St. John’s Fire Station,” he said, adding that “one is currently at the **VC Bird International Airport** , and the possibility exists that the third will be sent to Barbuda.”

Merchant said the government remains focused on strengthening essential services nationwide.

“The government says that it will continue to prioritize investments in the essential services infrastructure to ensure that first responders are adequately equipped to protect lives and property across the nation,” he said.