The Jamaica Fire Brigade has gained ninety-six new members, following the matriculation of the new recruits (intake 27) last weekend (May 9) on the lawns of the Iona High School in St Mary.
Inspecting Officer and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie congratulated and commended the recruits for taking this step in service to their country.
“I want to first of all, extend my personal congratulations to the intake of this year’s graduation exercise…I want to first of all, salute the future of Jamaica, we have just witnessed young Jamaicans stepping forward to serve their country,” said Minister McKenzie.
He further extended his gratitude to the families of the recruits who supported them through-out the three-month long training period, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system.
“I want to also thank the parents, girlfriends and the wives, baby mothers too, who have supported them in allowing them to make this major step, you are coming into the Jamaica Fire Brigade at a time when the values of the country is being questioned, and you must all support these young men and women as they embark on this major milestone in their lives,” he said.
The Minister further emphasized the critical role of the brigade, citing that the organization does more than douse fires.
“The Jamaica Fire Brigade is the country’s first responders, so when there is a motor vehicle accident, you don’t call the police, when there is an oil spill you don’t call the police, when there is a fire you don’t call the police, the Jamaica Fire Brigade is the entity that responds to all the calls and one of the new listing for the Jamaica Fire Brigade is delivering of babies, because they have been doing a good job,” he added.
Minister McKenzie also used the opportunity to remind attendees and the wider Jamaica that they too have a role to play, advising that more mindful actions can help to prevent fires and other incidents that will require the response of firefighters.
“If we as a people understand and recognize that we have a part to play, in being more conscious, more careful, then we will be able to have them serving us for a much longer time,” he said.
For his part, 23 years old Jahdae Wright, who’s impressive performance during training earned him valedictorian and the coveted ‘Yellow Helmet’, reminisced on the gruelling training that he and his fellow batch members endured, “On 
the first day here, we were told instructors were gods in blue, and a lot of us recruits did not know exactly what that meant, until it was time to go into the smoke-filled container. Some recruits were crying, screaming, shouting, even beating down the container to leave, while there was this one instructor who stood right beside the fire in the smoke with no PPE just his bare daily wear, showing no emotions, and he was there before the first person went in and the last person came out,” Wright recalled.
“In the classroom, we were greeted with warm smiles and comforting conversation that encouraged learning, but the moment we stepped outside, discipline and order were enforced with intensity… Platoon rivalry was fierce; cadences stirred insecurities and discontent. This aspect of training prepared us for what would become an excellent display of our skills on open day. Those who came to watch what we could do did not know how badly we longed for sleep. We trained this way so that on the job we would be prepared, ready and capable, pushing aside fatigue in our bid to save lives and protect property,” he further added.
The Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Yellow Helmet Award is a high accolade presented to the most outstanding recruit upon graduating. The award is accompanied by a $200,000 cash prize; the runner up will take home $150,000.