Sandals fetes St James firefighters
WITH her primary focus on safeguarding lives and property, district officer at the Montego Bay Fire Station, Melicia Kennion, responded to 35 bush fires in her region this year, with 22 occurring in a single day. Her colleague, District Officer Rayon Dockery, tackled 43 incidents.
The two were among a group of 100 members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade who were treated to a special recognition breakfast held at Sandals Montego Bay recently.
Sandals Resorts International organised the event as a show of gratitude to the St James-based firefighters, who have been unwavering in extinguishing the spate of massive bush fires that swept through sections of the tourism capital during the first and second quarters of 2023.
In addition to being treated to a selection of breakfast food items, Sandals also gifted the most outstanding firefighters with two-night, three-day stays and day passes at its resorts in Jamaica.
“To be rewarded and see our hard work recognised in this way is one of the most gratifying feelings for the Montego Bay firefighters,” Officer Kennion said. “I wish the entire world could witness our gratitude. When we were informed at the station that Sandals was organising this event for us, people were incredibly delighted and thrilled that we were being acknowledged.”
Sandals Resorts International’s decision to celebrate the fire officers came at the request of the company’s senior executives, who wanted to show appreciation to the emergency services professionals for their efforts.
Jeremy Jones, Sandals’ corporate director of resort operations for Jamaica, described the firefighters as “heroes without capes”.
“Every time that fire alarm goes off in the fire station, you are called to action. You are running in when everybody else is running out, and you are putting your lives on the line on a day-to-day basis,” Jones said as he addressed members of the brigade during the event.
“We stand here today with such pride to say thank you for always putting your life on the line for those who may not understand and recognise what you are required to do, every day.”