Government to Purchase Fire Trucks with Extended Ladders to Reach 200 Feet

With the growing number of high-rise buildings across the country, especially in urban areas, the Government is to purchase fire trucks with extended ladders to better respond to emergency situations in these buildings.

Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, made the announcement during his presentation in the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on May 30.

He said that the trucks will be equipped with “the latest features”, which will allow them to “respond to the expanding infrastructure being constructed around the country”.

Mr. McKenzie informed that the extended ladders will be able to reach 20 floors or 200 feet, which is a step up from the current collection of trucks being used by the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), which can go up to 10-12 floors or 104 feet.

“These new trucks will cost approximately $250 million each and we will be assigning the first two units to Kingston and Montego Bay, which have significant numbers of high-rise buildings,” the Minister said.

“Ultimately, more units will be assigned to regions with the buildings that require their presence,” he added.