KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) Spokesperson on Local Government and Participatory Democracy, Natalie Neita Garvey, has called for the urgent modernisation of Jamaica’s fire services, including the establishment of a national training academy for firefighters and emergency responders.

Speaking during her Sectoral Debate contribution, earlier this week, Neita Garvey highlighted that despite Jamaica having had a fire service for over 150 years, the country still lacks a formal training facility for new recruits.

This gap, she argued, has weakened Jamaica’s capacity to respond effectively to today’s evolving risk profile, including climate-related threats like wildfires.

Neita Garvey said that a future PNP administration will begin work within its first year to identify a location and begin the development of a “Fire Response Training Academy.”

Garvey said the facility will provide ongoing, modular training with on-the-job certification and clear pathways for promotion and improved compensation.

“Our firefighters deserve modern training, international best practices, and proper tools to carry out their duties, not just in firefighting, but in rescue operations, emergency response, and disaster investigation,” she stated.

In addition to training, she underscored the need for a comprehensive audit of fire hydrants across Jamaica and the development of a national hydrant maintenance programme. Many communities, she said, remain dangerously underserved, even those with running water.

The plan also includes upgrading existing fire stations, constructing new ones, including specialised response units, and ensuring all stations meet international safety standards.