The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has received equipment from the United States Embassy in Kingston to strengthen its capacity. Valued at over $30 million, the first responder equipment includes 42 fire proximity suits, 244 fire proximity gloves, 27 fire boots, 10 coveralls, 360 bed nets, 18 cots, 60 axes, 60 shovels, six rakes and two large military-grade tents. These will...

The Government is putting strategies in place to better plan for and finance damage and losses resulting from natural disasters. Among the measures is implementation of the public financial management policy for natural disaster risk, which will provide the country with funds in the event of a disaster. It will include, among other things, accumulating fiscal savings in the Contingencies...

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation has taken a decision to limit the number of entertainment events on the grounds of the Hope Botanical Gardens, in a bid to reduce the noise nuisance to residents in the surrounding areas. Speaking at today’s (July 9) Council meeting, Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, said this is in response to...

Outgoing United States of America (USA) Chargé d’Affaires to Jamaica, Eric Khant, has commended Jamaica on its growth in the area of disaster preparedness. “I think that Jamaica’s preparedness for disasters has improved tremendously over the last two years, because of the Local Government and Community Development Ministry’s efforts, and we can appreciate that. Still, there is a lot of...

Emergency Services Coordinator at the Jamaica Red Cross, St. James branch, Neil Barrett, is urging residents to develop a family disaster plan in case of natural disaster and other emergencies. Mr. Barrett, who was speaking at a recent community meeting at the Bethephil Baptist Church in Chatham, said that a disaster plan is necessary, as it helps families to function...

Disaster Preparedness Coordinator for St. James, Tamoy Sinclair, is encouraging citizens to pay close attention to disaster bulletins. Ms. Sinclair, who was addressing a community meeting at the Bethephil Baptist Church in Chatham on Sunday (June 30), said that the advisories are instrumental in helping persons prepare for natural disasters. “There are three types of advisories that are issued –...

Hundreds of residents from communities in West Central St. Catherine are to benefit from the rehabilitation of the Ginger Ridge/Connors water supply scheme. The $65-million project, which is set to start in the first week of July and completed over six to nine months, is being spearheaded by the National Water Commission (NWC) in partnership with Rural Water Supply Limited...