GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) says it expects to complete, within the next six months, an islandwide survey of fire hydrants which will help with monitoring and maintenance of the water access pipes.

“Once we complete this exercise… we will be in a far better position to assess the condition of our hydrants across the country. We will be able to identify which hydrants are functional and which require maintenance or rehabilitation. Meaningful strides are being made in this regard,” JFB Deputy Commissioner Kevin Haughton told the Jamaica Observer in Hanover last Friday.

According to Haughton, mapping is already completed in three parishes and has started in four others.

“We have already completed Area Three, which comprises Manchester, Clarendon, and St Catherine. We are now conducting the survey in Area Four, which includes Hanover, St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, and St James,” Haughton told the Observer.

“Once completed, we will turn to Area Two. While the target is to complete the project within six months, the timeline may extend slightly due to unforeseen circumstances. Nonetheless, we are committed to completing this critical initiative within the current financial year,” he added.

Haughton explained that the brigade is using geographic information system (GIS) technology to map and assess hydrants, providing access to their locations, conditions, and images through a central platform.

“We are currently uploading this data to a platform that enables us to view, in real time, not only the condition of the hydrants but also images of them,” he added.

“We are also in the process of expanding our hydrant teams across the island. At present there are only two maintenance teams — one in Kingston and another in St James. We are working to establish additional teams in St Ann and St Catherine to enhance our capacity for carrying out maintenance and repair work efficiently,” he disclosed.