Jamaica Fire Brigade acquiring new fire trucks

The Jamaica Fire Brigade will shortly deploy three new fire trucks, acquired at a cost of $133 million.

Errol Mowatt, Deputy Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, announced on Wednesday that the state-of-the-art units have already arrived and are currently awaiting clearance.           

“We expect that in another couple of weeks, they should be ready for deployment,” Mowatt said, while addressing the annual National Disaster Committee meeting, held at Jamaica Hous.

He said the trucks are fully equipped and specially designed to take on the country’s hilly terrain.  

Mr. Mowatt disclosed that the Brigade had also secured  funds for three additional trucks, which should arrive  early next year.

He disclosed that a number of units are undergoing repair and should be back in service by the end of this month.

Response capability            

In his report to the Committee, Mr. Mowatt said, despite resource and equipment constraints, the Brigade is ready to provide rescue and emergency services for the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane season, which began on June 1.   

“What we have done is to emphasise the need for training, both on our own as well as with other entities, such as ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) to make sure that we are able to respond and use the available resources to achieve the best possible result,” he said.

He reported as well that the Fire Brigade has received additional search and rescue equipment partnership from the United States Southern Command.

Some of these have already been pre-positioned in the town of Port Maria, St. Mary, due to its susceptibility to flooding, he revealed.           

The Deputy Commissioner said the Brigade is currently conducting inspections of all 33 fire stations islandwide to ensure they are fully equipped and that fire-fighters are able “to respond, whatever the emergency may be”.
           
The United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a likely below normal hurricane season, with a total of eight to 13 named storms forecast.

SOURCE: JIS