Ocho Rios Fire Station renamed for late firefighter | Entertainment

The Ocho Rios Fire Station in St Ann is to be renamed in honour of late firefighter Lorenzo Garnet Douse.

The station’s name will be formally changed to the Ocho Rios Fire Lorenzo Garnet Douse Memorial Building.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Desmond McKenzie made the announcement during the funeral for the 25-year-old firefighter at Moneague College in the parish on Saturday.

Douse, 25, died while on duty on November 30, 2022, after he was struck by a motor vehicle. Reports are that a fire truck from the Ocho Rios Fire Station had just finished putting out a blaze and was parked by the side of the road, in the vicinity of the Reynolds Pier, when a car overtook a line of traffic and crashed into the back of the unit, pinning Douse between both vehicles.

He was rushed to the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, McKenzie announced that a scholarship fund will be established in Douse’s honour. He said that the facility will assist young firefighters, aged 18 to 25, to advance in their training.

“This is our [Government] contribution to the preservation of his name. I know that his family and friends will always keep him alive in their hearts and in their memories,” McKenzie added