'We are responding well' - Shortage of personnel does not hamper response to calls

Despite being understaffed, the St Catherine Fire Brigade has been responding effectively to calls across the parish.

James Lee, acting divisional head for the parish, made this assertion while pointing out that none of the four stations which serve the parish, has its full complement.

"Although all the stations are short of personnel, we are responding well. We have not had any situations where we can't respond or have to be calling for help out of parish. Lately, we are working out," said Lee.

The Spanish Town Fire Station, equipped with a responder, a water tender, a bus and a pickup used for utility purposes, is served by a 55-member team, nine short of the desired number.

"I would say Spanish Town needs another responding unit, but that is not to say that we are not managing. In my estimation, another would be perfect," Lee noted.

In Linstead, where there's one responding unit and an ambulance used by the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), 36 persons are required, but the facility is operating with 10 less than that number. Similarly, at the Old Harbour station which has one responding unit, 11 more firefighters are needed to meet the 36 required.

Notably, there are only 34 personnel at the Waterford Fire Station, which is equipped with a general responding unit and three specialised units.

"With the four units that are there, if we are going to have them manned with personnel ready for a call and have adequate persons, without any person being assigned second shift, we would need 84 persons to work in the station to man all four units adequately," Lee explained.

However, he indicated that more than 100 recruits are expected to be trained soon, which should help to alleviate the shortage of fire personnel in the parish.

In the meantime, the senior fire-fighter told The Gleaner that while there were no major challenges, there were some issues to be addressed which, when done, could enhance the working environment, particularly at the Spanish Town station.

Need space

"The space at Spanish Town is inadequate for the men. We really need building space. The building needs minimal repairs. The yard, we have a lot of dust during the dry season and we would love for the station to be paved to minimise the dust," said Lee.

On the other hand, he pointed out that the Waterford and Linstead stations have adequate space but the buildings need minor repairs.

"Old Harbour station was demolished approximately four years ago. We are using a rented facility. We are expecting a new station to be built. Can't say when," Lee stated.

Touching on the issue of equipment, he said while all the stations have most of the items required to function effectively, there is a current shortage of hoses.

"Even though we are short, the shortage is being addressed, so this will be alleviated shortly," he assured.

Meanwhile, there is a general concern about salary. However, Lee noted that saving life and property was priority for his staff.