16 Per Cent Decline in Commercial Building Fires
By: , January 28, 2025
Photo: Shanna K. Salmon
Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, shared details about the Brigade's Emergency Response and Fire Prevention Data for 2024, during a recent JIS Think Tank at the agency's office in Kingston.The Full Story
A noticeable decrease in commercial building fires has highlighted the success of intensified fire-safety and prevention initiatives undertaken by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) throughout 2024.
Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, informed that there was a 16 per cent reduction in the number of commercial building fires when compared to 2023.
“The reduction can be attributed to the increase in the number of building inspection and certification that was carried out throughout the period under review,” he noted.
A total of 6,941 commercial buildings were inspected across the island in 2024.
“There was also increase in public education, which also contributed to a greater awareness of fire safety practises, not just in business but also in the homes,” Commissioner Beckford pointed out.
As part of its public education campaign, the JFB interacted with approximately 401,360 members of the public last year, which is a 21.6 per cent increase when compared to the 329,982 recorded in 2023.
Commissioner Beckford further pointed out that commercial building fires accounted for 378 incidents in 2024, representing 23.5 per cent of all structural fires responded to by the Brigade.
While commercial fires saw a decrease, the JFB responded to 1,229 residential fires, which made up 76.5 per cent of all structural fires in 2024.
This figure represents a 2.6 per cent increase from the 1,195 residential fires reported the previous year.
Commissioner Beckford further highlighted that of the total number of structural fires recorded in 2024, the St. Catherine division had the highest number of 348 or 21.6 per cent of the total.
“Of that amount, 283 or 81 per cent were residential fires and 65 or 18.7 per cent were commercial fires, representing an overall increase in the number of structural fires, moving from 294 in 2023, to 348 in 2024,” said Commissioner Beckford.
Meanwhile, Portland had the fewest structural fires, with 37 incidents, of which 27 were residential and 10 were commercial.