Work on temporary Old Harbour Fire Station begins

The work is scheduled to run for six months and will see firefighters returning to its original South Street base for the first time in more than a decade.

Original plans to construct a permanent building at South Street were shelved after lands were identified to establish a government town centre able to accommodate all state-owned entities serving the area.

The temporary structure, now under construction, is being built out of containers and will have all the requisite amenities for the staff to function effectively, a local government official informed Old Harbour News.

Firefighters assigned to Old Harbour have been operating in less than ideal conditions since they were forced to vacate the original base after the antique facility was deemed unsafe at the time by health authorities and the municipal corporation. 

The crew was relocated a few metres lower South Street and spent another decade and a half there before they were given notice by the landlord in 2018 to vacate the property.

With time against them and options very limited in finding somewhere suitable, the authorities ended up settling for a home in Marlie Acres. Some sort of retrofitting was undertaken to facilitate staff, which was far from ideal, however. But as soon as occupancy was taken up many issues started to emerge at the Marlie Acres property where they continue to operate out of currently. Chief among the many problems was an inadequate sewage system that was compromised at times and insufficient space for staff.

Disgruntled staff voiced their displeasure to management about the poor working environment, highlighted by Old Harbour News and other media.

This prompted Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie to respond to the concerns raised and in providing an update told the country, stated that a draft design of a modern fire station for Old Harbour was being reviewed for final approval.

While he was unable to provide the budget for the modified fire station being built, Steve Graham (JLP), councillor for Old Harbour Central Division, said the new facility when come complete “is going to be well furnished for the firemen” to carry out their function.

In an interview with Old Harbour News, Councillor Graham added: “So they are now putting in the perimeter fence, they are cutting out the containers which they’re going to sheet wrap. They are also going to put in place a wheelchair ramp for the disability community to have access and sanitary facilities for even the public in case they are passing by and they want to use it. It’s a good plan for the town.”

Member of Parliament for St Catherine South West Everald Warmington recently disclosed that the former Ascot Race Course at Marlie Acres has been identified for the construction of a modern government town centre. According to Warmington, finer details of this ambitious and welcomed plan are currently being fleshed out by government technocrats, but when materialized will see all state-own facilities such as the market, tax office, fire station, police station, the library among others operating within the same locale.

However, plans to build a new the Old Harbour Health Clinic behind the Post Office on East Street will go ahead as originally planned.

Sharing his thoughts on what should be done with the temporary fire station now under construction, Councillor Graham said he will be lobbying for the facility to be transformed into a community service hub for the youth especially.

“After they relocate from there to the bigger plan I would like it to be used as a community centre for the town, whether it is for evening classes or a computer centre, or something that the town can benefit from.”

Old Harbour News had requested additional information from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development on the project but is yet to get a response.