The Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which seeks to grant parish status to the Portmore City Municipality, making it the 15th parish of Jamaica, was tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 28). The legislation was tabled by Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie. As stated in the Memorandum of Objects and Reasons,...

A noticeable decrease in commercial building fires has highlighted the success of intensified fire-safety and prevention initiatives undertaken by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) throughout 2024. Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, informed that there was a 16 per cent reduction in the number of commercial building fires when compared to 2023. “The reduction can...

Jamaica recorded a 15.6 per cent reduction in fire-related deaths last year. This was revealed by Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, during a recent JIS Think Tank, where he shared details of the Brigade’s Emergency Response and Fire Prevention Data for 2024. “The number of fire-related deaths for the period under review was 27, comprising 23 adults and...

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says that all event fees for three Catholic schools – Chetwood Memorial Primary, Mount Alvernia Prep, and Mount Alvernia High – will be waived, as part of the celebrations honouring their centennial. Speaking at a church service at the Roman Catholic Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Montego Bay, St. James, on January 26 as...

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has reported a decrease in the number of emergency calls received in 2024. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank, today (January 23), at the agency’s head office in Kingston, Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, informed that 2024 was another active year for the Brigade, as firefighters responded to 19,133 calls, a five per cent reduction when...

More young people in St. James are being encouraged to apply for grant funding, which is available under the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund Project, to execute climate-resilient initiatives in their communities. The invitation was extended by Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, during a special ceremony on Tuesday (January 21) to recognise young climate activists in the parish...

Jamaicans are being urged to familiarise themselves with the layout of their homes in the dark as a crucial step in earthquake preparedness and general safety. This advice was issued by Director General, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, during a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ focused on Earthquake Awareness Month, being observed in...