JSIF donates equipment to fire brigade

The beleaguered Jamaica Fire Brigade received a much-needed boost yesterday with the donation of rescue equipment valued at $20.8 million dollars by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

That donation was buttressed by a donation of $5 million from the Department of Local Government in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The $5 million is to provide additional uniform for fire fighters, renovate the Santa Cruz and May Pen fire stations and purchase a much-needed compressor.

But the big gift was 30 sets of protective gear, five extrication tools — normally referred to by their brand name 'Jaws of Life' — and two tripods.

The tripods are smaller but similar to those used during the rescue of 33 trapped miners in Chile recently.

"These will be used in the rescue of individuals who are trapped and in need of help in instances such as earthquakes, landslides as well as vehicular accidents," said Scarlette Gillings, managing director of JSIF.

"As such, the Jamaica Fire Brigade's ability to undertake rescue and save lives will be bolstered," added Gillings as she noted that the two tripods, which will allow for the rescue of persons in confined spaces, are the first of their kind for the local fire service.

Gillings noted that the purchase of the equipment was made possible by a US$10-million loan from the World Bank to strengthen Jamaica's ability to respond to emergency events.

For his part, minister with responsibility for local govern-ment, Robert Montague, promised the fire fighters that in addition to the $5 million, they would receive a further $4.5 million shortly.