JFB to Acquire Additional Vehicles and Equipment

A total of $171.3 million has been budgeted for the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to acquire additional vehicles and equipment, and to repair those currently being used, during the current fiscal year.

This was disclosed by State Minister for Local Government, Hon. Colin Fagan, during his 2014/15 Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on June 25, under the theme – ‘Local Government: Creating Opportunities for Growth and Development’.

Mr. Fagan advised that $90 million of the sum is earmarked to purchase three additional fully equipped fire trucks and one ambulance for the provision of emergency medical services.

Additionally, he said $21.4 million has been provided to repair the fire boat, several fire trucks, and two ambulances for the Emergency Medical Service (EMS).

Mr. Fagan informed that $39.9 million has been allocated to repair five fire stations in St. Ann, St. James, St. Mary, and Westmoreland.

These include the Savanna-la-mar station in Westmoreland, for which a contract, valued $29.5 million, has been awarded for rehabilitation and construction works.

The State Minister further told the House that a contract for $2 million has also been awarded to undertake repairs at the Brown’s Town fire station in St. Ann.

The stations in Port Maria, St. Mary, and at Barnett Street, Montego Bay, St. James, are earmarked for repairs at a cost of $2.4 million.

Mr. Fagan said renovation works at the St. Ann’s Bay fire station in St. Ann, totalling $6 million, and which commenced earlier this year on Labour Day, May 23, are still being carried out.

He said labour is being provided by the JFB’s building and maintenance team, along with community volunteers. The Brigade, he added, is expected to save about $4 million from these inputs.

During the 2012/13 fiscal year, the Ministry allocated $4 million to construct two engine bays at Port Royal fire station in Kingston, to provide a covered parking area for service vehicles.

Additionally, the station was re-roofed with aluminum sheets which replaced asbestos material, initially used in the facility’s construction, which was deemed a health hazard.

Noting that fire fighters at Port Royal had to be re-located during the renovation, Mr. Fagan said they have since returned to the station which is now “functioning at full capacity.”

“This demonstrates and underscores our commitment to ensure that fire safety standards at our stations are maintained. We are striving towards meeting full compliance with the safety standards at our fire stations,” Mr. Fagan said.