JFB Official Encourages Persons to Call Emergency Numbers

Posted on July 23, 2019June 21, 2021

Superintendent, Kingston and St. Andrew Fire Service, Julian Davis-Buckle, is encouraging members of the public to use the emergency numbers of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) in the event of an emergency.

The direct lines for the JFB in Kingston are (876) 922-2121 or (876) 922-2122. The switchboard number for the JFB in Kingston is (876) 922-2127- 9. Persons are also advised to dial 110 for fire and ambulance emergencies.

“This is the general line. People who complain about credit… if you don’t have credit, call 110,” she said, in an interview with JIS News.

Superintendent Davis-Buckle is calling on members of the public to use the JFB’s direct lines rather than calling 119 for assistance, as this saves valuable time.

“One of the things we stress is that we be alerted as early as possible, but because people don’t know our numbers, they can’t call us straight, so they call 119 and they call all around before they actually get to us, and that is time consumed,” she said.

To avoid this, Mrs. Davis-Buckle is encouraging persons to programme the JFB emergency numbers into their phones to facilitate quick response time in case of a fire emergency.

“Those are the direct fire lines. If you call those, immediately you are answered on one ring. These are some of the things that affect our response time,” she said.

“Once they call that number and give the location, the dispatcher will know which station is closest to them and even know if they need more than one unit, so more than one station would turn up at the same time. The arrival time of everybody would be in sync, so we wouldn’t have to be on the scene and call for help,” Superintendent Davis-Buckle said.

With children on summer break, she is imploring parents to be vigilant of their activities.

“For the holiday season, it is important that parents not leave children unattended. It is tempting to just run down the road and leave a smaller one with a baby. It is not advisable. Make sure you have a responsible adult looking after them at all times,” the JFB official advised

“Know where they are playing and what they are playing. You have to be vigilant. We want to focus on the children for the summer…A lot of house fires are started because of carelessness,” she said.

Mrs. Davis-Buckle is imploring parents to ensure that lighters and matches are kept well out of the reach of children and that play activities be taken outdoors, rather than inside. She is also recommending that guardians conduct regular checks on children to ensure they are not playing with hazardous materials.

When it is discovered that a fire has broken out, the JFB Superintendent said, persons should evacuate buildings immediately.

“Once you identify a fire, get out of the building, and when you do, stay out. Do not go outside and remember you have something inside and go back in. No. Stay out, because if you go in you might not be able to get back out,” she warned.

Mrs. Davis-Buckle also advised that persons store keys in one central location to make it easier to quickly locate keys and exit the building in the event of a fire emergency. Also, she warns against keeping keys in bunches.

“The key for the front door must be separate and apart from the other – colour code if you must. Have fire safety talks with your families to prepare them, so in the event of a fire they will be able to act appropriately,” she said.

Minister Says YSEP Contributes to Low Unemployment Rate

Posted on July 22, 2019June 21, 2021

Local Government Ministry to Employ 4,000 Youth This Summer

Posted on July 19, 2019June 21, 2021

The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development’s Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) has been expanded to engage approximately 4,000 persons this year.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond Mckenzie, made the disclosure at the launch of YSEP 2019 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James on Thursday (July 18).

“We started in (2017) with 2,700 and we went up to 3,500 last year. Because of the demand on the programme and the fact that hundreds of young people have shown an interest…we are looking at close to 4,000 young people for this year,” he said.

He noted that 250 persons were recommended by entities such as the Jamaica 4-H Clubs and student council bodies.

Under the YSEP, young people are engaged at municipal corporations across the island to undertake data collection and support administrative services in order to improve service delivery and ensure greater levels of efficiency.

Minister Mckenzie said that data garnered by the participants over the years has been instrumental in boosting revenue collection by the municipal authorities, particularly trade licence fees.

“The local authorities [were] able to collect in excess of $230 million in the last financial year because of [their] efforts in the field in collecting data,” he noted.

For his part, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Alando Terrelonge, hailed the programme, noting that it demonstrates the Government’s commitment to “promote, enhance and make available, opportunities for every one of you [young people]”.

Individuals will be employed for six weeks, earning $8,500 weekly, with $9,500 per week for team leaders.

YSEP participants are scheduled to participate in orientation sessions on July 22, and the programme is scheduled to conclude on August 30.

Jamaica Fire Brigade Receives More Equipment

Posted on July 16, 2019June 21, 2021

The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) has received equipment from the United States Embassy in Kingston to strengthen its capacity.

Valued at over $30 million, the first responder equipment includes 42 fire proximity suits, 244 fire proximity gloves, 27 fire boots, 10 coveralls, 360 bed nets, 18 cots, 60 axes, 60 shovels, six rakes and two large military-grade tents. These will be distributed to the 34 fire stations across 13 divisions of the JFB islandwide.

The donation was made by the United States Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Programme Office, through the United States Embassy in Kingston.

The handover ceremony was held on Monday (July 15) at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Hagley Park Road in Kingston.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, expressed his gratitude for the equipment, which he said will go a far way in saving lives.

“We are a grateful nation. It is of importance that when we ask the men and women of the Jamaica Fire Brigade to put their lives on the line that we do so by providing the necessary equipment to enable them to perform their duties,” he said.

“The Government has spared no expense in providing the requisite support to maintain the JFB. On behalf of the Government and the people of Jamaica, we express our thanks and appreciation. These equipment will come in handy and I know that you will use it to the best of your ability and continue to uphold the high standards you have set,” the Minister told the JFB members in attendance.

For his part, Chargé d’Affaires, United States Embassy, Eric Khant, said the United States Government remains a committed partner in strengthening Jamaica’s capacity to counter man-made and natural disasters.

“The relevance of the nation’s first responders never dissipate or wane. The need is always great, as no one can ever tell when a disaster will strike. The United States believes in Jamaica’s future and we are committed to working with Jamaican partners, as well as international partners, to ensure when a disaster strikes, Jamaica is fully prepared to manage that disaster and minimise the devastation,” he said.

Mr. Khant reiterated the United States Government’s continued support in enhancing Jamaica’s disaster risk mitigation plans, pledging US$5 million towards the effort.

He noted that a joint exercise by members of the District of Columbia National Guard, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was recently conducted. This was one of several initiatives to improve Jamaica’s disaster response. It focused on real time, on-the-ground response to a major earthquake event.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, JFB, Warren Malcolm, said the United States Embassy has been a very important partner of the JFB and has contributed to the growth and development of the Jamaica fire service.

“Their assistance over the years has assisted the Brigade tremendously in increasing our inventory of tools and equipment and even enhancing our capabilities by way of training opportunities from which the JFB has benefited, mainly in the areas of fire-fighting, rescue operations and hazardous materials response,” he noted.