The
Ministry of Local
Government & Environment is providing a system of local
administration which recognises the influence of individuals in
community development. Emphasis is placed on the services offered
in youth development, and for the elderly poor.
Responsibilities of the Ministry
1.
|
Social
Security and Welfare Services such as poor relief and care for
the elderly poor in golden age homes |
2. |
Community
Amenity Services such as fire protection, street lighting, waste
management, minor water supply schemes, parks and markets etc. |
3.
|
Others
social and community services which relates to Youth Development
Services |
4. |
Local Government Administration through Parish Councils which
foster social and economic development at the community level. |
Fire Protection Services
These
services are administered by the Jamaica Fire Brigade, a statutory
body, which has the responsibility for protecting the lives and
properties of citizens in the event of fires and other emergencies.
The functions of the Jamaica Fire Brigade are as follows:
1.
|
Extinguishing
fires |
2. |
Protecting
life and property endangered by fire or other disasters |
| 3.
|
Inspecting buildings to ensure that reasonable steps are taken
from the prevention of fires or other disasters |
The
programme of the Fire Department is divided into four operational
areas:
i. |
Central Administration provides policy guidelines and administrative
services such as personnel management, accounting and financial
management. |
ii.
|
Operations
reflects the major responsibilities of the Jamaica Fire Brigade
in fire fighting and rescue operations islandwide. Operations
have a staff complement of 1,971 covering four operational areas
each comprising three to four parishes. Provision is also made
for the proper maintenance of the Brigade’s fleet of fire
vehicles and related equipment, the maintenance of 33 fire stations
islandwide, the Jamaica Fire Brigade’s Headquarters and
over 13,000 fire hydrants. |
| iii.
|
Fire Prevention ensures fire safety for members of the public
by conducting inspections of premises to detect and correct
fire hazards, and educating on fire safety. |
iv.
|
Emergency
Medical Services was introduced in collaboration with the Ministry
of Health in April 1996. It is presently available in the western
region of the island at four locations namely, Ironshore, St.
James; Negril and Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland; Lucea, Hanover. |
Parks and Markets
The
parks and markets companies, in accordance with the companies Act
and functioning under the aegis of a Board of Directors, appointed
by the Minister, undertake agency functions on behalf of several
Local Authorities in the following areas:
i.
Public cleansing and sanitation
ii. Beautification and the maintenance of parks etc; and
iii. Operation of markets
The
companies are:
1)
|
Metropolitan Parks and Markets covers the Kingston and St. Andrew,
Clarendon and St. Catherine |
2)
|
Western
Parks and Markets operates in St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover
and Trelwany |
| 3) |
North Eastern Parks and Markets works in St. Ann, St. Mary,
Portland and St. Thomas |
4)
|
Southern
Parks and Markets operates in St. Elizabeth and Manchester |
Community Development Services
This
programme identifies Government’s policy for assisting in
the development of local communities, by effecting structures and
systems, which will activate meaningful self-help programmes. The
programme is carried out by the Social Development Commission (SDC),
whose mission is to develop the capabilities of citizens within
communities. The SDC assists communities to identify and prioritise
their social, economic, cultural and recreational needs and taking
collective action through self-help and in partnership with both
Government and non-governmental organisations, to satisfy those
needs.
SUBJECTS
|
Community Development |
| Fire
Services |
| Inner
City Renewal |
|
Markets |
| Minor
Water Supplies |
| Parochial
Roads Acts |
| Poor
Relief |
| Solid
Waste Management |
|
Sports |
| |
(ENVIRONMENT)
• |
Air
Quality and Control |
• |
Beach Control and Coastal Management |
• |
Marine
Conservation and Protection |
• |
Meteorology |
• |
Disaster
Preparedness and Emergency Management |
• |
Watershed
Management |
• |
Wildlife Protection |
PHYSICAL PLANNING
• |
Local
Improvements Act |
• |
Negril and Green Island Development |
• |
Registration
(Strata Titles) Act |
• |
Subdivision
of Land |
• |
Town
and Country Planning |
|
|
