St James residents trained as Fire Wardens - Western News

Western News

St James residents trained as Fire Wardens

Thursday, August 16, 2012

MONTEGO BAY, St James - Some 60 residents of three communities in St James have been trained and certified as Fire Wardens and will now be charged with helping to protect their communities from the ravages of fires.

The residents, from Flanker, Rose Heights and Farm Heights, underwent two months of intensive training under the Jamaica Fire Brigade's Community Safety Programme.

They received their certificates of completion along with accolades for their achievement, at a graduation ceremony held recently at the Flanker Skills Training Centre.

Chief Fire Prevention Officer at the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Assistant Commissioner Samuel McIntosh, informed that the Community Fire Safety Programme was launched in 2008 in order to facilitate the involvement of communities in fire prevention. He said fires continue to pose a serious threat to lives and property throughout Jamaica.

"Communities across the island are being engaged to assist the Jamaica Fire Brigade in bringing fire statistics to a more manageable level with the limited resources available," he stated.

Approximately 1,133 persons have been trained as fire wardens since 2008, with 722 from 24 communities trained since January 2011.

The Assistant Commissioner said these persons are now actively engaged in their communities, and the brigade is determined to get more persons trained in fire prevention "noting that the government cannot do it alone."