St Ann, St Mary emergency response boosted with new ambulances

Emergency services in St Ann and St Mary have been boosted with the donation of two buses that have been retrofitted as ambulances.

The vehicles were donated by the Sandals Foundation and were handed over during a ceremony on Friday at the Port Maria Fire Station in St Mary.

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie welcomed the vehicles, saying the ambulances will help to preserve lives and improve the capacity of the Jamaica Fire Brigade to respond to emergencies.

“It is one of those institutions that has never lost focus on its role in Jamaican society. When there is a motor vehicle accident, it is not the police that you call; it is the first responder, which is the Jamaica Fire Brigade. And the work of this organisation has increased over the years. The presentation of these two units signifies the importance of their role,” said McKenzie.

He lauded the Sandals Foundation for its work in supporting communities, individuals, and organisations.

“We heard the need to have buses in this location converted to ambulances. Again, it is being done in an effort to save lives. There is no point in time when the fire brigade’s alarm is rung that firefighters do not respond to be the first responders, facing emergencies and disasters without knowing what is out there. When you put your life on the line every time you jump into that fire truck or ambulance, it is a call of duty that many of us will not be able to answer,” said Managing Director of Sandals Jamaica Resorts, Jeremy Jones.

McKenzie said one of the buses will be sent to St Ann’s Bay in St Ann, while the other will remain at the Port Maria Fire Station in St Mary.

- Gareth Davis Snr

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