Firefighting Capacity in Clarendon Increased

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) now has increased firefighting capacity in the Clarendon Division, says Assistant Commissioner, Andrew Russell.

Mr. Russell, who was speaking at the July 7 Disaster Preparedness Town Hall in Rocky Point, Clarendon, shared some of the added capabilities of the fire stations in the division.

“For general firefighting operations, we have strategically placed at the May Pen fire station a water tender containing 10,000 litres of water to provide support for firefighting, should there be a shortage of water in this particular area,” he noted.

“There is also the possibility of the fire department to lift water from the sea to assist us in our firefighting operation and this would be achieved through the use of two portable pumps that are available within the division,” Mr. Russell added.

Along with the water tender and portable pumps, he disclosed that the JFB recently acquired a dinghy for use in rescue operations during flooding.

The first round of training in specialist water rescue operations for firefighters has been completed. The JFB is aiming to have at least 50 per cent of the firefighters in the Clarendon Division trained in specialist water rescue operations by the end of August 2022.

Mr. Russell, who is also the Officer in Charge for Area III, shared that the JFB responded to close to 100 emergency calls from the general Rocky Point area and has plans to further strengthen its response capabilities in the parish.

“The JFB plans include the increase in the number of fire engines and the establishment of additional fire stations and also to increase the number of our firefighters, so that our operations can be more effective,” Mr. Russell said.

There are currently 73 full-time firefighters, with three fire engines, one of which is a brand-new unit, servicing the parish of Clarendon.