Construction of Balaclava Fire Station to Begin Soon

Construction of the Balaclava Fire Station in St. Elizabeth is slated to commence shortly.

This follows approval of funds for the project by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

“The estimates… were handed to me earlier today (October 26) and we are going to be providing the funds to commence… so that Balaclava will finally have the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) responding to the people in that section of St. Elizabeth,” Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said.

He was speaking during the official opening of the Yallahs Fire Station in St. Thomas, by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Wednesday (October 26).

The parish of St. Elizabeth is currently served by three fire stations, located in Black River, Junction, and Santa Cruz.

Mr. McKenzie pointed out, however, that the closest station to Balaclava is in Mandeville.

Consequently, he said the station programmed for the community will be a welcome one for the residents.

The two-storey Yallahs Fire Station was constructed at a cost of approximately $162.9 million and is expected to serve approximately 95,000 residents.

Earlier this year, the newly built $580-million JFB Area 4 Headquarters in Montego Bay was also officially opened by Prime Minister Holness.

Meanwhile, work on the Port Maria Fire Station in St. Mary is under way and is slated to be completed and officially opened shortly.