ST JAMES, Jamaica — Some 77 residents from communities across St James have been trained as community fire-safety wardens to help identify fire hazards and respond to emergencies before Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) personnel arrive.

The initiative forms part of the JFB’s efforts to strengthen community involvement in fire prevention and reduce the incidence of fires.

Assistant Superintendent in charge of the JFB’s Fire Prevention and Life Safety Unit in St James, Donovan McLaren, said the new wardens will play a crucial role in helping residents identify and address potential fire hazards in their communities.

He was speaking with JIS News during the JFB’s St James Division Fire Symposium and Graduation Ceremony, which was held at the Albion Community Centre playfield in Montego Bay on October 29.

McLaren outlined that the programme has been in place for several years and is regarded as an important component of the JFB’s fire-prevention strategy.

“We see it [as] very strategic in helping us to reduce the number of fires happening in some of these communities,” he noted.

The senior officer is also imploring citizens to develop and practise emergency evacuation plans, emphasising that these could mean the difference between life and death should a fire occur.

He further pointed out that, depending on the location of an emergency, it could take fire personnel between 45 minutes and one hour to reach some communities, making early intervention and preparedness especially important.

He emphasised that families should establish clear roles and responsibilities for assisting children and other vulnerable household members in the event of an emergency.

“Fire safety is your responsibility. I can’t stress enough that you must practise evacuation procedures at home… and at school; you [should] teach your children what to do if there’s a fire,” Assistant Superintendent McLaren advised.

The senior officer also urged residents to install smoke alarms, particularly in sleeping areas, to provide early warning in the event of a fire.

He added that installing a smoke alarm, even a small one, could mean the difference between life and death.

The symposium featured firefighting displays, educational booths and motor-vehicle extrication demonstrations, aimed at increasing public awareness of fire safety and emergency response.

—    JIS