By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS of Bahama Palm Shores, Abaco have organised and launched an initiative to raise needed funds to support their local volunteer firehouse ahead of what experts expect to be a busy fire season.

According to community spokesman, Joseph Chamie, nearly 30 riders will participate in a 30-mile bike-a-thon scheduled Sunday, February 15, to raise $10,000 to refurbish the High Banks Volunteer Fire Service (HBVFS).

Mr Chamie added that each rider will be enlisting sponsors from friends, relatives, colleagues and business owners to support them for every mile covered during the event and that all of this weekend’s proceeds will be used to maintain and support the entirely volunteer-operated firehouse and fire truck.

He said: “With a possible global agreement on climate change and global warming currently being negotiated by major world powers, one small community in the Bahamas decided that they needed to do something about the increased threat of wildfires to life and property.”

Fire Chief Bruce Smith said: “June of 2014 was a very active time for bush fires around BPS and Casuarina Point. Fires burned continuously for two weeks and we were kept very busy to say the least.”

Bahama Palm Shores is a small 100-home community located 20 miles south of Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

Several years ago, the community financed and built its own firehouse on a plot donated by the government. The homeowners, both men and women, donated their time, energy and limited financial resources to build and maintain a firehouse and purchase a $12,000 used 1985 fire truck from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

Mr Smith said: “We replaced four rear tyres, did a major refurbishment of the 1,800 gallon tank, added a booster reel and did repairs to the hydraulic brake system on our 1985 truck. Much of the work was done gratis by our crew, however, we still spent just over $5,000 on all of these endeavours.”

“It is hoped that these activities will raise much needed funds so that HBVFS will continue to serve the people of South Abaco.”

“Any and all sponsorship is welcome and much appreciated.”

Details of these events can be found on the group’s Facebook page, High Banks Volunteer Fire Service.