Wildfires (“bush fires”) are frightening. As I noted in my recent post on air pollution, open fires contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution; many of us are literally gasping for breath. And fires are incredibly destructive. As I also noted, Jamaicans in both rural and urban areas tend to be very careless with fire. I feel, too that our Fire Brigade is quite under-appreciated. They often struggle with poor resources (including a lack of water!) and they do their best. So, this training in investigating fires – we often don’t know the cause – courtesy of the USAID-funded Ja REEACH II and the U.S. Forest Service is very welcome.
Jamaica Fire Brigade better equipped to investigate wildland fires
(KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 22, 2018) – The country’s technical capacity for wildland (bush) fire investigation will be significantly improved following a one-week training of personnel from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Jamaica Constabulary Force and Office of the Director for Public Prosecution. The training held from March 19-23, 2018 is facilitated by the USAID-funded Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate Change (Ja REEACH II).
Thirty participants received training in Wildland Fire Origin and Cause Determination led by a team from the United States Forest Service (USFS). The programme will provide a more scientific approach for the investigation of wildland fires. According to lead instructor Jerry Hepler from the USFS, the training will place attendees on par with wildland fire investigators globally as the training objectives are in alignment with the internationally recognized National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
More conclusive findings
Acting Assistant Commissioner and Chief Fire Prevention Officer Floyd McLean, noted the critical importance of the training in improving the fire investigation capacity of the JFB. “We are scarce with respect to fire investigators. The training will help develop skills in responding to fires as well as identifying the origin of wildland fires. Knowing the origin will assist us to design better firefighting and fire protection strategies. Our fire awareness messages can be coined in a more specific way to educate the public. The fire fighters in this training will form the core of the fire investigators within the Jamaica Fire Brigade,” explained McLean.
In addition to classroom unit training, trainees participated in field exercises to build on fire investigation skills. Live observation of burnt and pre-burnt plots were used to assess elements of wildland fires including fire pattern indicators, fire scene evidence, ignition factors and sources and arson recognition.
Jamaica Rural Economy and Ecosystems Adapting to Climate Change II (Ja REEACH II) Project
1A Braemar Avenue, Kingston 10, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: (876) 946-1602-3 l Cell: (876) 382-3778 |Fax: (876) 946-1604
Email: dswaby@jareeach.org www.acdivoca.org
The Ja REEACH II project is a four-year initiative funded by the USAID and implemented by ACDI/VOCA. Through a range of interventions, Ja REEACH II works with government, private sector, civil society and community based organizations to increase awareness and application of practical actions that help Jamaicans to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
