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Month: December 2023

Jamaica Fire Brigade gets 103 new members

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TOWER ISLE, St. Mary: The 103 new recruits of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) have been tasked with increasing the value of the special agency to the people of Jamaica.

“You have taken on a tremendous responsibility, to maintain and enhance the esteem in which the JFB is held, and to increase the value of this,” read remarks from Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Honourable Desmond McKenzie.

“Your value, however, goes beyond firefighting and fire protection. You are now members of a noble profession, and of an institution that has built up high traditions and public respect over the last 151 years. Your uniform is a powerful symbol of discipline, efficiency, and credibility – qualities that the Fire Brigade is associated with all over this country.”

Minister McKenzie was represented by Mr. Junior Rose, the Ministry’s Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Policy Research.

The new firefighters- 86 men and 17 women- were officially presented during a graduation ceremony on December 9 at the Madge Saunders Conference Centre in Tower Isle, St. Mary.

The Minister also reassured the new firefighters that they will be able to respond to the challenges of the profession with confidence, as the leadership of the JFB and the Government are investing in the agency’s transformation to include the construction and renovation of fire stations.

“More equipment is being obtained to continue the modernization of the Brigade. Your ability to prevent fires through building inspections, public education, fire investigations, and hydrant maintenance is being expanded,” noted Minister McKenzie.

“The new structure of the JFB approved by the Ministry of Finance, is facilitating a new level of service through the Fire Safety Prevention and Investigation Division.”

He also underscored that the graduates are entering the JFB Jamaica at one of the most exciting points in its history.

“You will become part of the change that is taking place, and I am confident that you will make your mark. You have made a highly consequential career choice,” the Minister stated.

“I am grateful to you for your decision to give national service through the Jamaica Fire Brigade. I pray that you will achieve every success, as you give your all in the service of your fellow citizens.”

The new cohort of firefighters were also exposed to disciplines such as Nuclear and Radiation Emergencies; Water Rescue; Electric Hybrid Motor Vehicle Response; and Emergency Medical Technician Training prior to their graduation.

They represent the 25th Intake of recruits into the Brigade.

 

Upgraded Clarendon Drop-In Centre and Night Shelter opened

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DENBIGH, Clarendon: The rehabilitated and upgraded Clarendon Drop-In Centre and Night Shelter was opened during a special ceremony on December 8.

The facility, located adjacent to the Clarendon Infirmary on East Street in Denbigh Works, was rehabilitated, upgraded, and refurbished to the tune of J$9 million through an allocation from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, in his remarks at the ceremony called on the private sector to partner with the government to provide for the poor and destitute. He also disclosed that concerns are being expressed by residents about the influx of street people in rural parishes and towns, namely Clarendon and the town of Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth.

Jamaica has a homeless population of roughly 3,000 with approximately 80 percent of being men.

Meanwhile, Minister McKenzie noted that the homeless population is at significant risk and is increasingly being targeted by criminals.

“It is a sad day when a country turns on the homeless population in the way in which some of these criminals have,” he said. “And you know what is sad about it, I don’t hear one of these so-called human rights groups coming out condemning these actions. I don’t hear anybody talking about how brutal and how wicked these people are against the homeless of this country.”

The Clarendon Night Shelter has the capacity to sleep 25 persons nightly.

Drop-In Centres are the first point of contact for homeless persons and offer a range of care, including baths and other hygiene care, meals, and medical assessment.

There are similar facilities in St. Thomas, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, St James, Hanover, St. Elizabeth, and St. Catherine. The Clarendon Drop-In Centre was expanded to incorporate a night shelter.
The MLGCD’s Board of Supervision operates the Drop-In Centres and Night Shelters through the Poor Relief Departments at the Municipal Corporations islandwide. Night Shelters were also opened in Trelawny and St. Ann this year.

The St. James, Westmoreland as well as the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporations also operate Night Shelters. The Ministry also gives support to the Ebenezer Home in Mandeville, an in-house rehabilitation centre, as well as the Portland Rehabilitation Management Centre.

The Desmond McKenzie Transitional Centre in Kingston is also being expanded to accommodate more than 100 persons.

 

Two Indigent Houses handed over in Manchester

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KENDAL, Manchester: Two indigent houses have been handed over in the communities of Coley Mountain and Kendal each by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

The units- a studio and a two-bedroom family unit, were constructed at a cost of approximately J$16.5 million under the Ministry’s Indigent Housing Programme.

During the handover ceremony on December 1 at Kendal, Portfolio Minister, Honourable Desmond McKenzie, emphasized that the Government has been consistent in its response to the housing needs of Jamaicans.

“It is worth repeating that since 2016, this Administration has built more houses than any other for (persons at) every level of society,” he said.

He cited the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme, the Indigent Housing Programme, the National Housing Trust (NHT), and the Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited (HAJ), as well as partnerships forged with private sector stakeholders, among the entities and arrangements contributing to the housing stock.

Minister McKenzie also urged one of the recipients of Friday’s presentations, Kendal resident, Nadine Lawrence, to take care of the new house.

Ms. Lawrence, whose board house was destroyed by fire in 2020, said she was grateful for her new two-bedroom home.

“I could not do it. My children could not do it; we are poor. Other people in the community were there with me during my time of loss of my board dwelling. [The] Government has provided me with a concrete house now and I thank you so much. I am thankful that I have a key and can sleep (peacefully).”

Mr. Rodney Dwyer was the beneficiary of a studio unit in Coley Mountain.

The Indigent Housing Programme is spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development through the Poor Relief Department at each Municipal Corporation and provides housing solutions to persons registered as poor. This initiative began in 2016 and falls under the Ministry’s Municipal Social Assistance Programme (MSAP).

MSAP was created to offer a viable solution to the housing crises evidenced among the vulnerable population. Requests for full units or assistance with repairs continue to be one of the main applications made of the Poor Relief Departments.

The Indigent Housing Programme reflects the policy of the Ministry to promote modernity and to elevate the standards of housing for the poor, by building only concrete houses with basic amenities.

 

Ocho Rios Fire Station renamed Lorenzo Garnet Douse Memorial Building

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OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:  The Ocho Rios Fire Station has been renamed and rededicated as the Lorenzo Garnet Douse Memorial Building to preserve the memory of the late firefighter who died tragically last December during active duties.

The somber occasion was marked with a ceremony on November 30 at the stationhouse located on Stormont Road in Buckfield, Ocho Rios.

Honourable Desmond McKenzie, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, emphasised the importance of preserving Douse’s legacy and ensuring that his sacrifice is not forgotten.

“This building must never ever find itself in a state of disrepair to the point that it does not reflect the symbol of what it is about. I urge the St. Ann Municipal Corporation to work closely with the JFB (Jamaica Fire Brigade) in ensuring that the facility is maintained,” he said.

Minister McKenzie noted that renaming is testament to the JFB’s commitment to recognizing its members’ service and dedication.

“I want this to be a reminder, not just to firefighters, but to the people of Jamaica that regardless of what you do, your service must be recognized.”

Firefighter Douse was also posthumously honoured by the Government on National Heroes Day in October.

He was killed in the line of duty when a motor vehicle overtook a line of traffic and slammed into the back of a fire truck parked near the Reynolds Pier along the Ocho Rios main road. Douse was among a team that responded to a fie call in the vicinity.

Minister McKenzie announced the decision to rename the Ocho Ros Fire Station during the funeral service for the 25-year-old firefighter at Moneague College in St. Ann on January 28.

The Minister also unveiled an Honour Board that will serve as a memorial for firefighters who have passed away in the line of duty.

He indicated that this new feature would be implemented in every fire station across Jamaica, allowing colleagues to remember and honour those who served with distinction.

JFB Commissioner, Stewart Beckford, acknowledged the unwavering dedication of the men and women within the Brigade who consistently serve the people of Jamaica.

This commitment, he noted, was evident during the recent challenges posed by the heavy rains that affected the country, incidents of bomb threats and the 5.6 magnitude earthquake.

“Let’s use the opportunity to collectively express our love and appreciation for our firefighters and to honour the memory of those who have preceded us and who have given of themselves to the very end. Let us forever remember the names of our falling heroes,” Commissioner Beckford added.

“It is therefore fitting that this station is named in his (Lorenzo Garnet Douse) honour, so that his sacrifice will be remembered for years to come,” Commissioner Beckford added.