JFB to get new fireboats to tackle skyscrapers
STEWART BECKFORD, commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), says the 90-year-old Black River Fire Station and divisional headquarters is now suitable to effectively serve the people of the parish of St Elizabeth including bordering parishes of St James and Westmoreland.
The facility, which fell into a state of disrepair for sometime, was renovated at a cost of $60 million and was reopened by Prime Minister Andrew Holness recently.
“This facility has been transformed into a modern response emergency station. Prior to now what we have was a shadow of a fire station,” Beckford told The Gleaner.
He said the improvement that would have taken place there has resulted in extra dormitory space, which is gender specific, whether it has to do with bathroom facilities or sleeping quarters, all of the living quarters are now gender specific.
“We have seen significant improvement in the landscape of the station because in the past when it rains we have flooding, all of that has been addressed. There was a major problem with the sewerage system as well, we have improved on that significantly to the point where we have no more issue in relation to the sewerage system,” said Beckford who has been head of the JFB for the last six years.
He previously served as the acting deputy commissioner in charge of the bridge operations branch.
According to Beckford, the renovation has provided adequate space for additional services to be added, including emergency medical response.
“We have improved the carrying capacity of the station for additional units and we are planning to put an additional water tender here, water tanker for additional support as well as an ambulance,” the JFB commissioner revealed.
With the country’s real estate development now advancing into high-rise skyscraper buildings, the JFB is encouraging Jamaicans and visitors alike not to worry as your safety is their priority and they have been proactive in their firefighting capabilities, including improving their fleet of fireboats.
There are three major ports in Jamaica – Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. In Portland, Beckford said some activities are taking place there and it is being looked at as a port location for a marine station to assist the firefighters in terms of providing that service from the Portland division of the brigade.
“Four (fireboats) is what we are looking at. Currently, we have two and one is to be procured in the next financial year (2024-2025). We are hoping that that vessel will become a reality within another year and a half because they are being built to specifications, so it will take some time for that vessel to be built,” Beckford reasoned.
The Government, as part of improving the firefighting capabilities of the brigade, is to spend approximately US$7 million or J$1 billion in the next financial year to purchase a fireboat to respond on sea and on land when it becomes necessary.
“We have been forward thinking in relation to that particular area of concern that I know many Jamaicans have,” the Fire Brigade commissioner said, responding to a question from The Gleaner about the brigade’s ability to deal with high-rise buildings such as the Pinnacle that is being developed in Montego Bay and will open within the next four years.
“In this year’s budget, we are planning to procure two ladder or aerial units to reach [buildings with] floors of about 20,” he added.
According to the JFB commissioner, there is no fire service in the world that has a fire unit that can reach buildings consisting of between 28 and 40 storeys.
“So, what we ensure, or we try to make sure that happens in the approval process, is that there are certain fire concepts that are built into the design of that particular facility to lend support to our firefighting capability,” Beckford assured.
“We know that Jamaicans do have a concern in relation to that particular area of our firefighting capability, but we want to assure Jamaicans that we are doing everything in our powers to ensure the safety of those residents who occupy these facilities.”