WESTERN BUREAU:
FIREFIGHTERS in Trelawny will have to wait a while longer to hear whether or not a new fire station will be constructed in the parish to replace the dilapidated structure housing their headquarters.
The firemen have been working from the Matron's quarters at the parish Infirmary since February this year, after being relocated from their home base in Falmouth.
The building in Falmouth, which housed Trelawny's only fire station, was declared structurally unsafe, with pieces of concrete falling out from time to time.
However, while the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development is conducting an islandwide assessment of all fire stations with a view to carry out rehabilitation work, priority is being given to the Barnett Street Fire Station in Montego Bay, which is also badly in need of repairs.
The Ministry will make a decision regarding the Falmouth fire station, after a site inspection this month.
"We will be visiting the site (in Falmouth) by mid to late October to do an assessment," said Ann Marie Mittoo, public relations officer at the Ministry.
"Following this plans will be drawn up on whether to relocate, rebuild or refurbish the station."
On a recent visit to Falmouth, the firefighters seemed at home at the Matron's quarters at the Infirmary, despite a leak in the roof of the building. A senior officer at the station told The Gleaner that plans are in place for the firefighters to relocate to the Christian Resort in Falmouth in the event of a hurricane.
The firemen were initially relocated to the Falmouth Resort, from which they operated for three weeks, before being sent to the infirmary.
D.C.
