The refurbished Annotto Bay fire station in St Mary is now fully operational, staffed and equipped to serve residents of about 10 communities in the area.

The old station had fallen into disrepair, making it unsuitable for fire fighters to operate from there.

The local government ministry said the building was earmarked for rehabilitation and expansion under the Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Infrastructural Development Programme.

Consequently, the station had to be relocated in April 2023 to a premises at the Gibraltar housing scheme while the Annotto Bay station underwent extensive renovations.

The renovations were completed in April.

Portfolio minister Desmond Mckenzie officially opened the new fire station, on Tuesday.

He said members of the Annotto Bay community will now benefit from a stronger, more responsive emergency service team, ready to protect lives and property.

The upgraded facility now features enhanced infrastructure, state-of-the-art training facilities, enhanced technological safety features, modern firefighting equipment, and improved accommodations, all aimed at boosting the capacity and readiness of the brigade.

It is equipped with all the amenities that will assist in boosting staff morale such as adequate dormitory facilities that are gender specific and can comfortably accommodate staff, as well as recreational areas, a conference room, laundry room and more.