The Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs, CAFC, is a body of fire chiefs, fire science experts and practitioners from throughout the Caribbean representing all of the nations of our region.
(CAFC – previously known as CACDACFO) is a regional organization comprised of Caribbean Fire Service Administrators, Chiefs, and Senior Fire Officers from countries within the Caribbean Region. Our operation structure and objectives fairly mirrors those of similar groups in the United Stated and the United Kingdom and other developed regions, in seeking to unify and upgrade emergency response potential and techniques.
CAFC inauguration ceremony was held on September 17, 2001 at the Trinidad and Tobago Hilton Conference room under the auspices of the Honorable Prime Minister Basdeo Panday. The Association’s primary objective is to prevent and minimize the loss of life, personal injury, damage to property and the environment by improving and promoting the best quality of firefighting, rescue, fire protection and fire prevention. The body also provides expert professional advice, leadership research, informed comments and other services to CAFC member organizations and other entities upon request.
The formation of the Association has it background in more than six years of planning and will promote and maintain, among other things, a coordinated approach and training programs. CAFC also provides forums for constructive discussion, exchange of information and shared experience amongst fire service personnel in the Caribbean Region.
In an effort to promote regional participation and growth, the CAFC Constitution allows the president to serve limited terms.
CAFC has three (3) standing committees with the chairpersons elected every two years:
1. General Policy Codes and Standards Committee
2. Operations and Communications Committee
3. Personnel Training, Appliances, and Uniforms Committee
Key issues addressed at our previous General Council Meetings:
1. Implementation of a Caribbean Firefighter of the Year Award. Structure to be developed.
2. Reconstituting the CAFC Strategic Plan and the Business Plan
3. The establishment of regional inventories of equipment and appliances
4. Mechanisms for the sharing of information on the performance of various brands of Appliances and Equipment.
5. Government to Government arrangements for the Training of Fire Personnel
6. Assistance in the separation of Fire Service Division from within the folds of Law Enforcement (Police) organizations that
they are attached to presently.
7. Establishing a social framework for the integration of the Caribbean Fire Service from the highest level down.
The purpose of CAFC is to prevent and minimize the loss of life, personal injury, damage to property and the environment, by promoting the best practices in firefighting, rescue, fire protection and prevention. We will provide Chiefs, Deputy and Assistant Chief Fire Officers throughout the Caribbean community with information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.
Founded in 2001