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Councillors attending the monthly sitting of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation in St. Ann’s Bay, on March 9.
Councillors attending the monthly sitting of the St. Ann Municipal Corporation in St. Ann’s Bay, on March 9.

Municipal Corporation Still Pursuing Plans to Name Ministry Building After Late Hon. Shahine Robinson

The St. Ann Municipal Corporation is still pursuing plans to have the new Ministry of Labour and Social Security building in St. Ann’s Bay named in honour of the late Portfolio Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson. The building, which was constructed...
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), commissions a newly-built water shop in Commodore, Portland Eastern, on Friday (March 10). Sharing the moment (from second left) are Portland Eastern Member of Parliament, Ann-Marie Vaz; Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Ministry, Marsha Henry-Martin; and Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (left), commissions a newly-built water shop in Commodore, Portland Eastern, on Friday (March 10). Sharing the moment (from second left) are Portland Eastern Member of Parliament, Ann-Marie Vaz; Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Ministry, Marsha Henry-Martin; and Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson.

Local Government Ministry Commits $50M to National Drought Response
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), examines automated bedding installed at the Portland Infirmary’s newly built male ward during a tour on Friday (March 10), following the official opening ceremony. Among those looking on (from left) are Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson; Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, where the infirmary is located, Ann-Marie Vaz; and Matron of the infirmary, Carmeltia Holson.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (right), examines automated bedding installed at the Portland Infirmary’s newly built male ward during a tour on Friday (March 10), following the official opening ceremony. Among those looking on (from left) are Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Paul Thompson; Member of Parliament for Portland Eastern, where the infirmary is located, Ann-Marie Vaz; and Matron of the infirmary, Carmeltia Holson.

New Male Ward Opened at Portland Infirmary
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses journalists during a press briefing, on Thursday (March 9) at the Ministry in Kingston.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, addresses journalists during a press briefing, on Thursday (March 9) at the Ministry in Kingston.

Fines Under the Country Fires Act to be Revised
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), officially commissions the Watermount water system in St. Catherine into operation on Wednesday (March 8). Others (from left) are Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott (left); and Member of Parliament for St. Catherine West Central, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie (second left), officially commissions the Watermount water system in St. Catherine into operation on Wednesday (March 8). Others (from left) are Mayor of Spanish Town, Councillor Norman Scott (left); and Member of Parliament for St. Catherine West Central, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton.

Additional $60 Million to Assist Drought-Affected Communities

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Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Commissioner, Stewart Beckford (seated), discusses some of the agency’s achievements with JFB Public Relations Officer, Emeleo Eubanks, at the entity’s headquarters on Hagley Park Road in Kingston.
Local GovernmentTechnology

EV Importers Encouraged to Partner with JFB

Electric vehicle (EV) importers are being encouraged to partner with the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), in training and sensitising firefighters on how to treat with fires occurring in these vehicles. JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that the importers can provide some guidance, as the JFB continues to take active steps to adequately prepare all firefighters for these types...
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Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford.
Local Government

JFB Raises Concern Over Increase in Bush Fires

The number of bush fires recorded in Jamaica has more than tripled for the month of February, when compared to the corresponding period last year. Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that firefighters responded to 1,303 reports of bush fires last month, which represents a 224 per cent increase over the 402 recorded last...
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Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford.
Local Government

43 Per Cent Decline in Fire-Related Deaths

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is reporting a 43 per cent reduction in the number of fire-related deaths. JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, told JIS News that 24 persons perished in fires in 2022, compared to 42 the previous year. “Regrettably… there were 17 adults and seven children who perished in fires. While one death is too many, we consider it...
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Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford.
Local Government

Fire Brigade Inspected 7,795 Buildings Last Year

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) conducted thousands of routine building inspections during the 2022 calendar year, to ensure conformity with fire prevention regulations. A total of 7,795 buildings were examined by the Fire Prevention Department, representing a 16 per cent increase over the 6,718 structures inspected the previous year. Additionally, 2,021 buildings were certified last year, which is 447 more...
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Commissioner, Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford.
Local Government

Increase in Emergency Calls

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has reported an increase in the number of emergency calls responded to in 2022, when compared to the previous year. “Our overall responses totalled 16,696… an increase of 304 or two per cent,” said Commissioner, JFB, Stewart Beckford, during an interview with JIS News. Of the total number of calls received, 7,756 were genuine fire...
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Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, outlines the agency’s achievements for 2022, during an interview with JIS News at his office on Hagley Park Road in Kingston.
Local Government

Firefighters Equipped to Execute Duties

Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, says several activities have been undertaken to safeguard firefighters and adequately equip them to execute their duties. He told JIS News that 130 sets of bunker gears and 150 pairs of firefighting gloves were procured in 2022. Bunker gear is the personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by firefighters. Commissioner Beckford informed that the...
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