Death trap! ... Concerns raised around safety of National Stadium's Media Tribune

Independence Park General Manager Major Desmon Brown says that he is unaware of fire safety code violations taking place in the Grandstand at the National Stadium during the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships.

The Gleaner was informed by firemen stationed at the venue's Grandstand that the media tribune, which is located among regular spectator seats, is in violation of fire-safety codes for various reasons. These include the cramped space in which media personnel are working during Champs, which do not allow for clear passage for persons getting to and from their seats, and numerous electrical cords and wires, strewn about the ground, where persons are expected to walk.

One fire official, who requested anonymity, said that checks were made prior to the start of the five-day event, and the area was given the 'all clear' as no issue had been found. However, this was done at a time before media officials got into the space, which suggests that the checks were not done in the most effective environment to see possible violations or danger.

However, Brown said no report had been made to him about the area.

"This has not been reported to me or my operation manager, so I am not aware of any problem, hence my inability to respond to this statement," Brown told The Gleaner.

When asked if he had, however, seen the condition of the area for himself, Brown said: "IPL provides a space. It is the event organiser that assigns the space."

Brown, who is not attending Champs, said he would carry out inspections and raise the issue with ISSA (organisers).

Jamaica Fire Brigade District Officer Maveta Bailey-Hall also said that the organisation found no issues upon their inspection of the venue before the start of the Championships.

"The Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Fire Prevention, in particular, has inspected this stadium," she said. "Any breaches that we have observed or seen, were recommended and sent to the National Stadium.

"Once we have rectified or seen any, then we would have got recommendations (to take action). It is now up to the stadium to do the necessaries."

When asked if action can be taken now that the JFB is aware that a violation does in fact exist, Bailey-Hall said: "The Jamaica Fire Brigade's part has been done. I cannot do anything. You'd have to speak to higher authorities to answer that, that is our chief fire prevention officer."

However, this official was not in attendance at the stadium and when the JFB's Chief Spokesperson Emelio Ebanks was contacted with the same question, he too refused to give an answer, saying he would need to see the issue for himself.

In January 2017, Brown had said that upgrades were being planned for the National Stadium with the intention of bringing it up to what he described as international standards.

"Everybody should have individual seats, improved medical facilities, improved drug testing facilities, and improved media facilities. One other thing is that we're going to be putting in some private boxes. Those are the main issues (affecting the stadium)," Brown said at the time.

Upgrades to the stadium have yet to begin.