The Government is placing focus on disaster risk financing to strengthen the country’s financial capacity to respond to and recover from disasters. “This Administration has taken a different approach to disaster risk management, particularly on the financial side of things and, in fact, we have developed a National Natural Disaster Risk Financing Policy,” said Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew...

St. Elizabeth is ready with comprehensive plans and emergency response systems to protect life and property during the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which starts on June 1. In fact, the Humanitarian Sub-Committee, which falls under the parish’s Disaster Preparedness Committee, held a tabletop exercise with supporting ministries and agencies on Tuesday, May 30, at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, in...

In memory of late firefighter, Larenzo Douse, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development says it is far advanced in renaming the Ocho Rios fire station where the officer was stationed. On November 30, 2022, the 25-year-old firefighter was killed after a motorist overtook a line of traffic along the Ocho Rios main road and crashed into the back...

A four per cent increase in prank calls to the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) in 2022 has spurred concern from Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, who has once again called for an end to the practice. During his presentation in the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 30, Mr. McKenzie said...

With the growing number of high-rise buildings across the country, especially in urban areas, the Government is to purchase fire trucks with extended ladders to better respond to emergency situations in these buildings. Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the announcement during his presentation in the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, says he is awaiting a detailed report from the Portland Municipal Corporation about the recent fire that engulfed a section of the Musgrave market in Port Antonio. “Once we get that [report], Madame Speaker, we will pay our attention to how we’re going to deal with the repairs to the...

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will continue its comprehensive programme for the rehabilitation of markets across the island during the current financial year, says portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. He noted that projects that are already in progress include the Savanna-la-Mar market in Westmoreland, where some $20 million is being spent on the first phase. Rehabilitation of...