Here is the type of assistance/service the Fire and Ambulance will not respond to while on “go slow”

GREAT BAY--The shop stewards of the St. Maarten Fire Department and Ambulance Department, acting on behalf of their members, have informed their union, the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU), that both departments have intensified their ongoing “go-slow” industrial action as of November 7, 2025, since no written commitment was received from government within the timeframe they had set out. While they outlined what service/calls they will not render and/or respond to, both departments stressed that response to life-threatening situations will continue uninterrupted.

The announcement, contained in a formal letter to WICSU-PSU dated November 3, 2025, outlines a structured escalation of industrial measures that include modified operational levels and restricted services.

Three-Step Escalation Framework

1. Continuation of the Current Go-Slow: Both departments will maintain the existing work-to-rule posture pending a satisfactory response from the Prime Minister, the Minister of General Affairs, or the Council of Ministers.
2. Escalation if No Response: The departments fully moved to implement heightened go-slow measures on November 7, 2025.
3. Adjusted Operational Levels: Effective November 7, the Fire Department applied modified operational levels across all sections, while the Ambulance Department implemented an adjusted emergency-response protocol.

Ambulance Department Adjusted Response

Under the new measures, ambulances will no longer respond to certain A2 emergencies that are considered non-life-threatening. These include:

• Simple or small bone fractures (finger, wrist, ankle, toe) with stable vital signs
• Wounds requiring sutures but without major bleeding
• Fainting spells (vasovagal syncope) where the patient recovers; repeat cases will be attended
• Migraine attacks
• Mild intoxication without respiratory or circulatory compromise
• Psychiatric transport cases where there is no risk to life

Ambulances will continue to respond to compound fractures, severe bleeding, and other life-threatening medical emergencies.

Fire Department Adjusted Operations

The Fire Department will also reduce its operational output to essential life-safety activities only.

• Crews will respond only to life-threatening emergencies or incidents with potential expansion.
• Fire mechanics will respond only to emergencies that directly affect the operation of the Fire Department itself.
• All inspections, permit processing, and hurricane passes are suspended until further notice.
• No walk-in consultations or fire reports will be produced.
• No new permit applications will be accepted from any ministry, including:
  • Building permits
  • Hindrance permits
  • Bond fire permits
  • Operational licenses
  • Fireworks and events permits

The letter further advises that all public inquiries regarding suspended services should be directed to the Office of the Prime Minister or the relevant ministry.

The shop stewards and negotiation teams, representing the members of both the Fire and Ambulance Departments, stated that the decision to heighten the go-slow reflects their continued frustration over unresolved issues related to working conditions, compensation, and official placement within the civil service structure.

“Without a signed and credible commitment from government,” the letter notes, “our departments will move forward with the heightened operational measures necessary to safeguard our members’ interests.”

Both departments emphasize that emergency response to life-threatening situations will continue uninterrupted, but administrative and non-critical operations will remain scaled back until the government provides a formal resolution.

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