The Saint Lucia Fire Service mourns the loss of retired Chief Fire Officer Primus Duplesis, who passed away at his residence in Piaye, Laborie on Monday 4 May 2020, at the age of 78. In 1959, Mr. Duplesis was enlisted into the Royal St. Lucia Police Force. Shortly after, he was transferred to the then, Fire Brigade. Having attained the rank of Sergeant in 1972/73, he successfully completed a course of study in the United Kingdom, which entailed aspects of fire vehicle and equipment maintenance and repair, domestic, and industrial fire suppression, aerodrome firefighting and rescue, and fire prevention and protection.
Rising through the ranks of the department, in 1977 he was appointed as Acting Divisional Officer of the Southern Division. In 1980, Mr. Duplesis was appointed as Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, and in 1981, appointed as Chief Fire Officer. During his time in the Fire Service, he solicited the support of the Local Partners of America in securing a trainer who spent many weeks in Saint Lucia, training to officers to be ambulance emergency first responders.
He was also instrumental in the erection of the two airport fire stations, under the Canadian assistance programme. Mr. Duplesis introduced the first Fire Service insurance plan, and was a member of various committees on Disaster Emergency Management and Mitigation. After working tirelessly for the betterment of the service, Mr. Primus Duplesis retired in 1996, having served as Chief Fire Officer for 15 years and committing 37 years to the people of Saint Lucia.
