press releases

Bridgetown, Barbados – Fire prevention and safety took centre stage during the finals of the inaugural Barbados Fire Service Primary School Quiz Competition, an event designed to educate and inspire the nation’s youth as part of the Fire Service’s 70th anniversary celebrations.

Over the course of the competition, seven primary schools tested their knowledge in a series of challenging, fire-related quizzes. The final round saw Christ Church Girls’ and Hilda Skeene Primary going head-to-head, with Christ Church Girls’ ultimately claiming the title with a commendable score of 140 points.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Sagicor General Insurance Inc., Patrick Hinkson, emphasized the vital role education plays in fire prevention and community safety. “When it comes to fires, prevention is everything. We can have the best equipment and the fastest response teams, but the most effective way to keep our communities safe is to ensure everyone knows how to prevent fires before they start. That’s where you come in,” he said.

“This isn’t just a competition, it’s part of a bigger vision that started 25 years ago through the Junior Fire Cadet Program. It’s about reaching young minds early, planting the seeds of knowledge, and making sure that safety becomes second nature, not just for students, but for their families, their schools, and their communities.”

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Henderson Patrick also commended the students’ performance and thanked Sagicor for its partnership. “I sat here in this audience and it was fascinating to see that in the short space of time that we had given you to look at these questions and take that information and process it, your output was really outstanding. I have spent quite a bit of time in the Fire Service and this experience that I have had over the last couple of weeks is one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had while being in the service. We complain a lot about our young people in Barbados, but events like this quiz show what can really obtain in this country.”

Sagicor General remains committed to empowering the next generation with the tools and knowledge to create a culture of safety, starting in the classroom and extending to homes and communities across the island.