Electricity Theft a Danger to Communities and Firefighters – JFB

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is warning Jamaicans about the dangers of accessing electricity illegally.

Addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, Deputy Commissioner of the JFB, Sean Martin, said electricity theft is creating a hazard for firefighters and community members alike.

He said the overloading of circuits can cause fires, damage to electrical equipment and appliances, and the interaction with wires siphoning electricity can result in serious injury and possibly death.

Mr. Martin cited cases of firefighters having to be hospitalised after coming into contact with illegal connections.

“This poses a risk to everyone in and around the community. Earlier this year, some firefighters got shocked and were taken to the hospital because of stolen electricity. They were operating in a space where the ground was wet, water was in the environment and electricity was being stolen by residents of that particular area. The firefighters received severe shocks. Some of them spent days in the hospital,” Mr. Martin said.

“You can have a fire, but it is also a safety risk. It is something that we are encouraging persons to desist from doing because the risk it poses to people in the community is serious,” he emphasised.

He noted that firefighters responding to calls of fire “have to be looking out for illegal connections of electricity, which is a safety hazard to firefighters conducting their operations. Desist from this practice”.