TCI News
FortisTCI Honours Frontline Workers and Contractors with Green Ribbon Safety Awards
#TurksandCaicosIslands – December 10, 2020 – FortisTCI’s frontline workers from across several departments, and seven local construction companies that are regularly contracted by the company, were honoured with the Green Ribbon Awards for outstanding safety performance in 2020.
The presentations were made at the company’s Green Ribbon Safety Awards Ceremony, held at FortisTCI’s Providenciales headquarters on Friday, December 4. The event also recognized four employees with ‘Good Catch’ awards for their vigilance in identifying, reporting and offering solutions for potential hazards that could have a moderate to major impact on people and systems.
Receiving the Green Ribbon Safety Award were FortisTCI’s employees in the Transmission and Distribution (substation, planners, engineers), Production and Control Operations, Facilities Management, Materials Management and Security departments, as well as the Grand Turk and Sister Islands Operations teams.
Contractors who were awarded were J&A Welding, Rolle Construction, Kevin’s Quality Cleaning, EL Construction, Ferguson and Son, 4M Construction and Stanch Construction.
‘Good Catch’ awards were presented to Supervisor of Materials Management Ingrid Forbes, Senior T&D Planner Robert Smith and Linemen Kelorian Forbes and Atley Gray.
FortisTCI established the Green Ribbon Safety Awards Program in 2016. The initiative recognizes those working for the company who understand the importance of good safety practices and who are actively providing solutions to health and safety concerns in the workplace. Contractors were added to the roll of awardees for the first time in 2019.
This year’s awards were particularly significant, with the company achieving 655 days (and counting) without a lost time accident, despite employees and contractors having to work under several new EHS protocols in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As an essential service provider operating during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important for us to not only manage the usual risks associated with the utility industry, but also to safeguard the health and safety of our employees and contractors, while ensuring the company was always COVID-free. This approach was vital to keeping the lights on for our customers, and I am proud of the work that was done all across the company to achieve this goal. Many of our employees were sequestered at our various locations for extended periods, and many others were on the frontlines, as and when required. Everyone played their part in helping us to successfully manage the pandemic, effectively implement our Return to Office Plan, and welcome customers back to the office,” FortisTCI President and CEO Ruth Forbes stated.
In congratulating the awardees, she added, “Safety is a top priority at FortisTCI and it is due to the steadfast commitment of all employees and our contractors that we keep breaking new ground in our environmental, health and safety management systems. I commend all the winners on this special achievement.”
Mrs. Forbes also congratulated the EHS team for its “incredible safety leadership inside this company, and outside – to our contractors, to the TCI community and across the region to the CARILEC family.”
Under the direction of Senior Vice President of Operations Devon Cox, the team comprises Director of EHS and Line Operations Dave Laing, EHS Manager Marcus Francis, Senior EHS Coordinator Eustace Musgrove, Works Methods Specialist Walter Wilson, Senior EHS Officer Rikardia Pardo and Temporary EHS Officer Ariel Clare.
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
-
-
- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
-
South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
-
world news1 week ago80% of the World’s Poor Face Climate Hazards — UNDP Sounds Alarm
-
TCI News1 week agoFrontier Airlines’ Arrival to Turks & Caicos Marks a Game-Changing Connection
-
USA1 week agoNarco-Terrorist Take Down by US Gutting Caribbean Gang-Crime
-
TCI News1 week agoTurks & Caicos Police Commissioner Urges Students to “Awaken Their Sleeping Giants”
-
TCI News5 days agoHURRICANE MELISSA: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTIONS
-
Caribbean News2 days agoSeven Days. Seven Nations. One Storm — Hurricane Melissa