Fire Brigade Prepared for Hurricane Beryl
By: , July 2, 2024
Photo: Michael Sloley
Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart L. Beckford (left), addresses a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Management Council at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in Kingston on Monday (July 1). Looking on is Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation with the responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan.The Full Story
Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Stewart Beckford, is assuring the public of the entity’s preparedness for Hurricane Beryl and the entire hurricane season.
“I am pleased to say that the Jamaica Fire Brigade is ready. We are in the best place that we have ever been in our history, in terms of our state-of-readiness,” he said, while addressing a National Disaster Risk Management Council meeting at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in Kingston on Monday (July 1).
Commissioner Beckford informed that JFB has approximately 2,000 staff members and those on leave could be called back if required during the hurricane period.
Pre-emptive measures have also been taken to mitigate potential flood risks.
“We have pre-positioned certain assets such as rescue rafts in those areas that we know are likely to be flooded; our firefighters are on standby,” Mr. Beckford informed.
He emphasised the importance of personal safety, urging citizens to heed all hurricane warnings and evacuate from flood-prone areas.
“While we will risk a lot to save lives, it will be difficult for us to connect our fire fighters in situations where the risk to them outweighs the benefits. So, please adhere to those warnings issued by Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other state agencies,” Mr. Beckford urged.