LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER CALLS FOR END TO ILLEGAL POWER CONNECTIONS AFTER FIREFIGHTERS ELECTROCUTED IN GREENWICH TOWN
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, is calling for greater levels of compliance with the law and social responsibility, after six firefighters were injured, three more seriously, while responding to a fire at Greenwich Town in St. Andrew in the early hours of this morning.
“Firefighters from the Trench Town Fire Station responded to a call at 2:17 this morning, when one member of the team came into contact with a wire that was illegally connected to the main power grid, and was thrown to the ground. On seeing what was happening, other firefighters tried to assist him and were themselves electrocuted. Three of the firefighters have been admitted to Hospital, where they are being monitored for irregular heartbeat among other symptoms. I am extremely thankful that they were clad in their protective equipment including rubber boots, otherwise their injuries would have been severe or fatal. Our firefighters are critical to the protection and development of our communities, the wider society and economy, and the Government through the Ministry, will ensure that their welfare is secured.
“I must make a public appeal for the practice of illegal throw-ups to cease. It is a clear fire and electrocution risk to those who make these illegal connections, as well as to all the people who inhabit the structures that are attached to them. Our firefighters are doing a dangerous job, and we should not do anything to increase their risk of injury or death.”
