Fire truck woes in Westmoreland

Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Westmoreland is without adequate firefighting capabilities as only two of the three fire trucks assigned to the parish are fully operational.

Superintendent in charge of the Westmoreland Fire Department, Maureen Thompson, says the lives of residents are increasingly in danger and property is at severe risk as the service cannot fully safeguard the citizens.

"We are in the dry season, and this has resulted in us receiving an increased number of calls in recent times," Thompson said.

"But with just one truck in good order here in Savanna-la-Mar and with the other in Negril, we are really hampered in effectively carrying out our duties. And this means that lives and property are at risk of fire because we cannot respond in a proper manner."

MORE UNITS NEEDED

She said, ideally, the fire department would be better able to manage fires with a second unit in the main town to bring to three the number of trucks in working order in the parish.

"A minimum of two units here in Savanna-la-Mar would be ideal as we try to respond to calls. As it stands now, our firemen and women have to be shuttling between calls for fire, and that is not a good way to safeguard people's lives," Thompson said.

On March 16, one of the trucks stationed at the Savanna-la-Mar Fire Station had an accident, rendering it unserviceable. That fire truck is yet to be replaced. The fire department is left with only one truck to cover the central and eastern sections of the parish.

Thompson said the increase of cane and bush fires is serious cause for concern in the 807 square-mile parish. She said the situation needed immediate attention from the Ministry of Local Government.

Three persons have died in fires in Westmoreland in recent weeks, including in last Sunday's tragic fire in Cottage, Little London, which claimed the lives of two young boys.