Electronic Records Management System for Fire Brigade This Year

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) will be installing a modern, First-World electronic Records Management System this year.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, in making the disclosure in his Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 28), said the system, which is being installed for the first time in the history of the Brigade will “have massive implications for the quality of the already high levels of service being provided by the agency”.

He said that in addition to providing inventory management, this system will streamline the JFB’s entire building inspection process for properties, including inspection schedules, reports of violations and compliance tracking.

“It will store building plans islandwide into an electronic database, thus giving firefighters quick access to floor plans and fire escape routes. It will provide live tracking of fire personnel and equipment to ensure maximum safety and efficiency,” he said.

Minister McKenzie added that the electronic system will create and manage firefighters’ shift schedules, including overtime and leave requests, thereby ensuring the efficient rotation of these front-line employees and preventing undue stress and burnout.

He informed that five modules of the new Records Management System are now being tested.

“This is a total game-changer in the life of the Brigade as this Government continues the work of creating a First-World fire service in Jamaica,” he said.

The system will also manage emergency calls, log them, specify the nature and priority of incidents, and dispatch the appropriate personnel and equipment.