Recent fires testing the mettle of firefighters

Horace Fisher, Star Writer

The massive blaze which razed the St Andrew hills, and the recent Riverton Dump fire have stretched the resources of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

The fires tested the mettle of the men and women of the fire service, said commissioner of the brigade, Errol Mowatt.

The brigade commissioner was speaking on Monday in May Pen at the handover ceremony of 28 chairs donated to the May Pen Fire Department.

Commissioner Mowatt lauded the custos of Clarendon for his continued support to the fire service, said, in recent times, the spate of fires has tested the mettle of the brigade.

"Not so long ago, we spent 18 days at the Riverton landfill. we are in the hills of St Andrew. There isn't any telling when it will end. However, I know I can count on the professionalism and the commitment of the firefighters to bring that under control before we lose one single human being," Mowatt said.

Severe stress

"So, we are under severe stress, we are under stress and, as you know, the resources are scarce," he added.

The commissioner also used the opportunity to appeal to persons, including farmers, to be careful how they light fires, stressing that the country is in a protracted dry, windy period, and lighting fires has the potential of getting out of control.

"We are in a drought period that began sometime last year, and, from the forecast I am getting, it will not abate anytime soon. therefore, I am appealing to the citizens, across the length and breadth of Jamaica, especially our farmers, to desist from the practice of slashing and burning."

Tempted

The commissioner said he knows persons may be tempted, because of economic reasons, but the damage that may occur when fires get out of control will be far greater than the supposed saving that may be accrued to persons using the practice of slashing and burning.

The custos, in handing over the 28 chairs to the May Pen Fire Department, described firefighters as unsung heroes and lamented that fire personnel aren't given the deserved respect, except in instances when they save someone's property from being destroyed.

He noted that the chairs were not only for creature comfort, but also a morale booster for the men and women of the department.