With increasing number of high-rises, McKenzie assures that fire hydrants are working
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has sought to assure that fire hydrants are being installed and repaired around the country to take account of the many high-rises that are being constructed, especially in urban centres.
He also said the Government was looking to acquire more crane trucks, taking into consideration that buildings on the island are getting taller.
“Yes we are [looking to purchase more crane trucks] and I will be speaking some more about that in the Sectoral Debate,” he said.
The Minister was responding to a question posed by Opposition Spokesperson on Local Government, Natalie Neita Garvey, during Friday’s meeting of the Standing Finance Committee that examined the 2026-27 Estimates of Expenditure.
Garvey Neita expressed concern that in light of buildings getting taller and the possibility of fires breaking out, she did not see any improvement to the hydrant maintenance programme.
“It would be nerve-racking to many citizens should there be a fire,” she said.
According to McKenzie, as of December 31, 2025 there was total of 20,536 fire hydrants across the country when compared to 20,151 hydrants at the end of 2024.
“This shows an increase of 385 or two per cent in the number of hydrants across the country,” he said, adding that the total number of working hydrants stood at 16,161 or 78 per cent. This is an increase of 1,633 or 11 per cent, when compared to 14,000 reported at the end of 2024.
Asked whether an analysis was done to determine the number of hydrants needed, McKenzie responded in the affirmative.
“It is a part of the whole development approval process where the assessment has to be done before the approvals are granted,” he stated. He explained that the inspection is done by the Jamaica Fire Brigade and it is done to specification.
“What the brigade asks for is what has to be provided,” he remarked.
“And I want to give the country the assurance, because it was just earlier this (last) week we were discussing with the brigade about the whole question of earthquakes and the amount of high-rise buildings going up across the country and the safety features around fire prevention.
“And I want to give the assurance that the Jamaica Fire Brigade is on top and has been working with the municipal corporations and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management when it comes to the installation and inspection fire hydrants,” said McKenzie.
-Lynford Simpson
