Eight new fire stations are earmarked for construction along Jamaica’s south coast at a cost of approximately $2 billion.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, made the announcement on Wednesday (October 26) during the official opening ceremony for the Yallahs Fire Station in St Thomas.

He said boosting the capacity of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) to provide this level of coverage along the south coast will be critical, especially after completion of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP).

Holness further noted that, in addition to responding to fires, the JFB plays an integral role in providing emergency medical services (EMS).

“Once you have these kinds of roads, which will be carrying a larger volume… of traffic… you need to have this kind of [fire station] infrastructure standing in your parish,” the prime minister said.

JFB Commissioner Stewart Beckford pointed out that, over the last five years, St Thomas’ firefighters responded to 2,577 emergency calls, inclusive of motor-vehicle accidents.

As the organisation marks Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week from October 23 to 29, he invited Jamaicans to become more acquainted with the JFB.

“We want to encourage members of the public to go out and participate in the activities that are planned across the island. Please ensure that you know the number to your nearest fire station, because this also will help instead of dialing 110,” Beckford said.

A list of the Fire and Life Safety Awareness Week activities can be viewed on the JFB’s Facebook and Instagram pages @jamaicafirebrigade.

The Yallahs Fire Station was constructed at a cost of approximately $162.9 million.

It follows the opening of the JFB’s $580-million Area 4 Headquarters in Montego Bay, St James, earlier this year.