DESPITE having close to half a million dollars in their coffers to help in the construction of a fire station, the Darliston Citizens’ Association has not been able to secure the blessings of the Jamaica Fire Brigade for the facility.

According to association president, Collin Hitchman, the brigade has indicated that they do not have the resources to maintain a new facility in the parish.

Darliston and surrounding communities in Eastern Westmoreland are served by the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Station. But residents have long expressed concern about the distance the fire trucks have to cover, and the lengthy response time.

Determined to address the issue, the association staged various fund raising activities to help secure funds to build a fire station at Darliston.

Lands have already been donated to the by the Westmoreland Parish Council for the project.

But residents are now unsure of how to proceed following the brigade’s stance.

An appeal will, however, be made to member of parliament and prime minister, P J Patterson, to intervene in the matter.