Despite a decline in bush fires across the country last year, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, says these incidents remain a major concern for his team. Approximately 4,523 bush fires were recorded in 2024, reflecting a 30 per cent decrease compared to the 6,443 recorded in 2023. However, Commissioner Beckford told JIS News in an interview,...

More than 500 senior citizens are expected to benefit from the ninth annual Brown’s Town Elderly Celebration and Social Fair 2025, set to take place on Thursday (February 27) at the Brown’s Town Community Centre in St. Ann, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The event, being hosted by the Social Development Commission (SDC) in partnership with the Brown’s Town Community Development...

The Social Development Commission (SDC) will bring together more than 350 students, teachers and community stakeholders on Thursday (February 27) for an inspiring day of youth engagement and empowerment, when it hosts the inaugural ‘SDC Club in School Day’. This event takes place at Bucknor Community Centre in Clarendon under the theme ‘Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Unity’. The initiative will...

More than 100 residents of communities in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, have received support under the Government’s Rebuild Jamaica initiative for persons who were impacted by Hurricane Beryl in July. Sixty-nine persons in the Old Harbour Road area and 33 residents from Old Harbour received cheques worth $50,000, $150,000 and $400,000, based on the severity of damage done to their...

With an increase in the number of malicious false alarm calls in 2024, the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is once again urging Jamaicans to stop making prank calls to the emergency services. Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that last year the JFB received 1,759 malicious false alarms, a 24.4 per cent increase when compared to the 1,413 calls...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is urging persons to adopt a simple yet life-saving habit of closing their bedroom doors while sleeping. Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that this practice can increase survival chances and reduce the spread of fires. “Once you go into the room to sleep, close your door. If a fire starts, for argument’s sake...

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is eyeing the Independence period as a timeline for the completion and reopening of the Buff Bay market in Portland. The Minister visited the facility recently, where he reminded that the market was one of those chosen to be renovated when Jamaica had celebrated its 50th year. “So, we want...