JFB Commissioner Urges Responsible Road Use

Still mourning the tragic death of one of its own due to reckless road use, the leadership of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is making an appeal to motorists to use the nation’s roads responsibly.

On November 30, last year, 25-year-old Larenzo Douse, who was attached to the Ocho Rios fire station, was killed after a motorist overtook a line of traffic along the Ocho Rios main road and crashed into the back of a fire truck parked at the side of the road.

Firefighter Douse, who was alone at the back of the truck, was crushed by the impact.

JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, said “It is really an unfortunate matter because as firefighters we are exposed, on a daily basis, to the dangers that lurk on our roads.”

He lamented that the young fireman was killed “doing what he loved best” and described him as “a firefighter who was very committed to his job and no doubt would have spent maybe his working life in service of the people of Jamaica.”

The JFB Commissioner, who was speaking at the hand over of the new Port Maria Fire Station in St. Mary on Friday (January 13), said that the matter is before the police.

“There are too many families in this country that are mourning the loss of loved ones due to recklessness on the part of some of our drivers. While we struggle to come to grips with the loss of this firefighter and the circumstances under which he was killed, we are still grateful (as) it could have been two or three of them on that day,” he noted.

He recalled that just two days prior to that incident, a team of firefighters in the vicinity of the Trelawny and St. Ann border, stopped to inspect their fire truck, which seemed to have developed mechanical issues.

They were under the truck when a motor vehicle slammed into the back of the unit. One firefighter sustained injuries and had to seek medical attention.

“These are the dangers as firefighters that we face on a daily basis and a lot of it can be avoided if we only use the road properly,” Commissioner Beckford said.

He is imploring motorists to “desist from tailgating our firetrucks when we are responding to emergencies. That is a reckless and dangerous action that can result in loss of life.”

In his remarks, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, also paid tribute to the late fireman.

“I want to join you, Commissioner, in paying my respects to your young firefighter. I was devastated to learn that this firefighter, in doing his job, was mowed down by reckless and careless driving; dangerous driving.

“And I want to join you, in paying tribute and appealing to our road users to drive with care,” the Prime Minister said.

He pointed out that the new Road Traffic Act, which takes effect on February 1, will help to curb indiscipline on the nation’s roads and will see motorists facing tougher penalties or breaches.