Jamaica Fire Brigade’s front line: Inside the Hurricane Melissa response

In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence welcomes Dr. Hezedean Smith, who spotlights the human and operational toll of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

Dr. Smith draws from first-hand perspective from the ground, detailing catastrophic damage to homes, utilities, roads and communications — which compounded the workload and emotional burden for Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) firefighters and EMS providers.

Dr. Smith highlighted the Brigade’s Amazon Wish List effort, which aims to route essential personal items and operational supplies directly to affected JFB members and stations to sustain continuity of operations and support responders’ families.

After the break, Dr. Smith switched hats as the newly elected President of NEMSMA to outline the association’s renewed momentum:

• New association management support

• Expanded member services and credentials

• The inaugural NEMSMA Leadership Conference

The NEMSMA Leadership Conference will take place in Washington, D.C., March 23-24, 2026, intentionally adjacent to EMS on the Hill to create a leadership-plus-advocacy “two-fer.” Highlights include keynote Gen. Robert Neller (Ret.), plus a deep bench of EMS leaders and educators.

Memorable quotes from Dr. Hezedean Smith

• “Many homes destroyed, utility systems interrupted, critical infrastructure in terms of communities having the ability to communicate, leaving thousands displaced, even fire stations having operational challenges as it relates to communication and interoperability ... ”

• “I stayed in the local fire station. I wanted to be there with the men and women on the ground, to make sure that I had that communication, that constant contact with them.”

• “My focus will be on the firefighters and ensuring that we get enough supplies to go directly to the firefighters.”

• “We want to tear down silos. We want to redefine leadership and ensure that we continue to collaborate across this globe.”

Additional resources:

• Jamaica Fire Brigade – Amazon Wish List

• National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA)

• NEMSMA Leadership Conference: Washington, D.C., March 23-24, 2026

• EMS on the Hill, March 25-26, 2026, Arlington, Virginia

• International Journal of Paramedicine

• EMS One-Stop: General Robert Neller on ethical leadership and adaptability

Episode timeline:

00:46 – Quick industry/policy update

01:27 – Set-up: Hurricane Melissa overview; impact stats and current situation

02:12 – Welcome Dr. Hezedean Smith

02:26 – Dr. Smith’s backstory: Jamaica roots, USAF medic, Orlando FD, two fire chief roles, GES Consulting, Caribbean EMS focus

04:20 – First reactions to Melissa: scale of damage; compounded human toll

05:58 – Deployment cadence: aligning with JFB command, CDEMA, national EOC; travel hurdles; rapid integration on arrival

08:28 – Why existing relationships matter; staying in-station with crews; supporting leaders and frontline needs

11:13 – Call to action: Amazon wish list for responders’ personal and operational needs; distribution via JFB logistics

13:20 – Specific needs (PPE, boots, clothing, hygiene, basic medical supplies) and the ongoing recovery realities

17:46 – NEMSMA — new president, renewed energy, new AMC, who NEMSMA serves

20:14 – Board/leadership shout-outs; programs (FTEP, ACPE), member services, momentum

22:49 – Conference preview (Mar 23–24, 2026, D.C.): theme — disruptive leadership; Gen. Robert Neller keynote; speaker lineup; proximity to EMS on the Hill

26:29 – IJOP collaboration and research-to-p