JALGO and the other Two (2) Unions representing personnel in the Jamaica Fire Brigade have sought the commitment of the Minister of Finance for a sustainable financing plan for the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

The Unions request comes against the background of a breakdown in an agreement reached in June 2001 that sufficient funds would be provided to ensure that firefighters and officers would be paid all their salaries and benefits at the end of every month.
That agreement had been reached after action by Fire Brigade personnel in March 2001 to protest the continued payment in two-parts of amounts due to them for salaries and benefits at the end of every month since February 2000. The Unions' letter indicates that morale is at its lowest ever in the Brigade, as not only were members not able to receive their pay on time, but they were unable to perform their duties efficiently due to non-provision of the necessary equipment. Equipment needed include fire units, power saws, hydraulic cutting tools, pumps etc. .