FALMOUTH, Trelawny — A senior firefighter in Trelawny says the increasing number of motor vehicle crashes is taking a significant toll on his colleagues, who are among the first to respond to these incidents.

Up to last week the Trelawny police had recorded 16 road fatalities in the parish so far this year. The tally shot up after five passengers — mostly public transport operators from St Catherine heading to Hanover for an all-white birthday party hosted by a colleague — died after the driver of their Toyota Hiace lost control and the vehicle flipped several times before crashing into a pole in Salt Marsh. That crash took place on Sunday, July 6.

Seven other passengers were admitted to Falmouth Public General Hospital for treatment from that crash.

“We have been having accidents almost every day, and it is a concern to us as firefighters,” Superintendent Roland Walters of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Trelawny Dvision said.

He noted that dealing with mutilated bodies at crash sites often leads to post-traumatic stress but shared that the Fire Brigade has systems in place to help firefighters cope, including mandatory stress debriefing sessions after each major incident.

“We try and identify those persons who can’t handle the amount of stressful situations out there, and we try and get some help for them as quickly as possible,” he said.

Walters also pointed out that the JFB utilises its chaplaincy unit and works with the ministers’ fraternity in Trelawny to provide counselling support to firefighters who need it.

In emphasising the frequency of crashes firefighters have to deal with in the parish, he pointed out that over the last weekend alone, four serious crashes were reported in the parish, though none were fatal.

He explained that crashes frequently occur along the stretch of road between the St James and St Ann border.

“Having to manage an accident can range from two hours up to six hours — and that certainly puts a strain on the human resource of the organisation,” Walters said.

“In the meantime, we may have other calls pending,” he said, pointing out that, with the ongoing dry season, bush fires have also increased, requiring equal urgency as they threaten households and farms. With limited units available, firefighters are stretched thin when one crew is engaged at a crash site for extended hours.

“We have a lot of fatal accidents, we have a lot of serious accidents in Trelawny, and we have that along with the house fires and the bush fires. So… the ambulance, the EMS and the suppression team, we have a lot of work to do,” Walters added.

He appealed to motorists to exercise greater care on the roads to reduce the frequency of crashes.

“If you are tired, get some rest. Do not drink and drive. Be polite to the other users of the road,” he urged.

Walters further advised partygoers to appoint a designated driver and cautioned against speeding, particularly with modern vehicles built for high performance.

“Just cut back and save a life. That’s all we’re asking,” he implored.