THE EDITOR, Sir:I QUESTION the great disparity in how the government treats the Fire Service in Jamaica as compared to the police force.
We hear of promises to get the fire service equipped. The latest we have been hearing is that fire trucks should or may arrive in the island in the next 12 to 15 months. I am very disturbed about this. For by then, Jamaica may very well have burnt to the ground.
There was the threat just yesterday (March 22) of a gas station in Manchester being engulfed in fire. I cannot begin to understand what the government is waiting for to supply the needed fire trucks.
We recently heard a news report that a fire truck was down for weeks simply because it needed an alternator; a simple electro-mechanical part that can be made right here in Jamaica.
The callous disrespect for life and property must stop now. The fire service must be equipped with vehicles it needs with the same urgency as that given to providing the police with cars. Fire trucks are used, all over the world, so there is no acceptable excuse why we have to wait 12 to 15 months to see some new ones arrive here in Jamaica. Jamaica will pay dearly otherwise.
I am. etc.,
DAVID ALLEN
godsent72@yahoo.com
Old Harbour, St. Catherine
Via Go-Jamaica
