JFB Providing Support for Firefighters

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) is providing support for firefighters who suffered loss or damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Public Education Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Superintendent Emeleo Ebanks, said that 120 firefighters in western parishes, particularly in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth, were impacted.

“We have been working with some companies that have been assisting with roofing materials so we can [help] those persons who would have lost roofs… and we are also assisting those individuals who have lost homes,” he informed.

Mr. Ebanks, who was speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, said that the Brigade is also providing psychosocial support.

“For the team in the west, we are getting counselling for a lot of them, as some would have lost houses, roofs and other varying areas of damage. We would have also had some fire stations that were damaged,” he noted.

Mr. Ebanks said stations also served as places where displaced firefighters were able to take refuge immediately after the Hurricane.

“We had a lot of persons who stayed at the station but some of them have been going back in their spaces. We have been assisting with the clean-up process to make sure that, as fast as possible, they can get back in their spaces,” he noted.

“All in all, I think they are in high spirits right now. We have been getting assistance for them and they are much better than they were two weeks ago,” Mr. Ebanks said, noting that the support is ongoing.