Jamaica’s emergency services are facing a growing crisis as the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) reports a surge in prank calls, straining resources and putting lives at risk. Commissioner Stewart Beckford revealed that in 2024, the brigade recorded 1,759 false alarm calls—an alarming 24.4% increase from the 1,413 received in 2023.
The sharp rise in these malicious calls has been largely attributed to a wave of bomb threats targeting schools, government agencies, and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies. Beckford highlighted that these hoaxes have become a significant burden, consuming manpower and equipment that could otherwise be used for real emergencies.
Another troubling trend, according to the commissioner, is the increase in prank calls during the summer months, when children—many as young as four or five—have unrestricted access to cell phones.
“Young children with mobile phones are often behind these calls, especially when left unattended during school breaks. While we encourage parents to ensure their kids have a way to contact them or call for help in an emergency, it is critical to teach them the seriousness of misusing emergency numbers,” Beckford warned.
The commissioner stressed that false alarms do more than just waste time—they create dangerous situations. Fire units responding to hoax calls have been involved in accidents while en route, and, in some cases, prank calls have left entire communities vulnerable due to misallocated resources.
Currently, Jamaica lacks the capability to track and prosecute prank callers, but Beckford noted that steps are being taken to address the issue. A new centralized emergency number system is in development, which will allow authorities to pinpoint the caller’s location.
“This system will not only help us trace those making malicious calls but also ensure that in genuine emergencies, we can locate callers who may be disconnected or unable to provide details,” he explained.
As the JFB continues to push for responsible use of emergency numbers, the public is urged to recognize the dangers of prank calls. With every false alarm, resources are wasted, and real lives hang in the balance.
