Garette Brown (left), acting corporal in the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Trelawny division, has the full attention of, Little Kirkroy Robinson, at a homework centre located at the Falmouth Fire Station. - JIS Photos

Firefighters are known for their valiant efforts to save and rescue persons and property from the searing arms of fire.

Those who have had the opportunity to witness them in action know the levels of bravery associated with the job.

However, few are aware of another bold aspect of their undertakings. In one of their most recent initiatives, firefighters are not seeking to quench but ignite a different kind of flame - flames of learning.

Homework centre for students

Under the supervision of Dolphin Doeman, deputy superintendent in charge of the Trelawny division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, personnel stationed at the Falmouth branch have started various outreach programmes.

Chief among them is a well-needed homework centre for students, operated from the conference room at the Falmouth Fire Station.

The 60 men and women assigned to the station play an integral role in the running of the centre, which started in September 2008.

The idea for the centre stemmed from the recognised need to maintain some form of interaction between the firemen and the neighbouring communities and to assist students who live in and around Falmouth.

Readily accepted

The homework centre forms part of a new approach of the Jamaica Fire Brigade being piloted by Deputy Commissioner Neil Findlay.

"The schools that were targeted were Falmouth All-Age and Hague Primary and Junior High because they are close to the Falmouth Fire Station," said Doeman.

He said that when the idea for the homework centre was presented at parent-teacher meetings, it was readily accepted.

"And so on September 22, 2008, the centre was opened with 11 students on the first day. This number has grown and we have in excess of 70 students enrolled," he reported.

The popular programme is being run at no cost to the students and a prominent supermarket in Falmouth assists the fire brigade in providing refresh-ments for the students in the evenings.

Doeman pointed out that "on a daily basis, the centre is manned by fire brigade personnel, who are always in attendance once students are there".

The centre is opened Mondays to Fridays from around 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Lance Corporal Dane Smith, one of the officers who assists with the daily operation of the centre, believes the project is worthwhile, pointing out that it assisted the fire brigade in reaching out to the communities with its programmes.

Dual role

"The best place to start is with the little children, so when they come in, we can impart not only the mathematics and the English, but we can also teach them about fire-safety measures," he said.

Ann-Marie Smith, a parent whose eight-year-old son attends the centre, had nothing but complimentary remarks for the firefighters.

"I sincerely hope that this programme can continue for a long time and will be promoted within the schools in the area, so that all the youngsters coming up can get an opportunity to benefit from it," she said.