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Efforts Underway to Improve Fire Service – Arscott

February 16, 2012

The Full Story

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Noel Arscott, says efforts are ongoing to make improvements to the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).

He adds personnel is being boosted with the inclusion of 100 new trainees, while another 120 are in training and are set to graduate soon.

“So, we expect a much improved service while we try to finance additional units and stations,” he stated.

Mr. Arscott was addressing a special sitting of the Clarendon Parish Council held on February 10 in May Pen.

Responding to concerns from the councillors regarding the fire service in the parish, including the need for additional trucks, the Minister gave a commitment to have discussion with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and the Public Service, to see how these could be addressed.

The councillors told the Minister that the fire service was under severe stress, due to increased bush fires during the dry season (January to May), which is compounded by the distances the fire trucks had to travel to answer calls for assistance.

“I’m going to discuss to see what can be done,” Mr. Arscott said.

Deputy Superintendent in charge of the parish, Julian Davis-Buckle, told JIS News that all but six of the 279 fire calls the department responded to during the month of January, were for bush fires.

These, she said, resulted from fires used by farmers to clear land for planting, which got out of control, or householders leaving burning garbage unattended. “It is very strenuous, especially since we only have one fire unit and inadequate water supply.  Most times, when we go out, if we had water, the task would be much easier and faster,” she stated.

She said the department is seeking to collaborate with the Parish Council to mount a series of public education seminars and town meetings to encourage residents to exercise care when lighting fires.  “We have to tell people how not to burn,” she stated. 

“We want to sensitise our people that you don’t have to burn the land to prepare for farming; and if you have to, there are safe ways of burning,” she noted.

Deputy Superintendent Davis-Buckle said the Clarendon fire prevention team has been very active, with members going out every day to sensitise people. “But it’s just not enough because we’re not reaching the ones that we really need to reach,” she said.

“We’re doing a tremendous job with the schools, so it’s the adults we need to reach to teach them and sensitise them how to use fires safely,” she added.

 

By O. Rodger Hutchinson, JIS PRO

Last Updated: July 31, 2013

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