Retired fire officer Siewnarine Ramsaran is calling for systemic change within the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) and the Public Service Commission (PSC), alleging that failures within the PSC hampered his career advancement despite decades of dedicated service. Ramsaran, who recently retired after 43 years with the TTFS, feels his ambition to rise through the ranks was unfairly stifled by the very body responsible for ensuring fair and transparent promotions within the public sector.

Ramsaran’s frustration stems from what he describes as a lack of accountability and efficiency within the PSC. He believes that opportunities for advancement were missed due to delays and inconsistencies in the promotion process, ultimately hindering his progress and that of potentially other dedicated officers. He asserts that the PSC, the independent body tasked with overseeing appointments, promotions, and disciplinary matters in the public service, failed to uphold its mandate in his case.

While Ramsaran acknowledges the dedication and hard work of many within the TTFS, he believes that the problems lie higher up, within the structures that govern the service. He argues that if the PSC is not functioning effectively, it creates a ripple effect, impacting morale and hindering the overall efficiency of the fire service.

Ramsaran's call is not merely a personal grievance; he frames it as a fight for the rights of all public servants who aspire to advance based on merit and dedication. He hopes that by speaking out, he can shed light on the issues within the PSC and prompt meaningful reforms that will benefit future generations of fire officers and other public service employees. He is urging those in positions of power to take his concerns seriously and initiate a thorough review of the PSC's processes to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in all promotion decisions. His long service and commitment to the TTFS, he believes, warrants a serious consideration of his claims and a commitment to address the systemic issues he has highlighted. He firmly believes a functioning and fair Public Service Commission is crucial for the effective operation of all public service sectors.