Jamaica’s youngest firefighter ready to save lives
Published:Sunday | July 14, 2024 | 12:08 AMCarl Gilchrist - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Eighteen-year-old Donovan Plunkett, a graduate of Prospect College, recently made history when he became Jamaica’s youngest firefighter.
Plunkett, who underwent training at the Madge Saunders Conference Centre in Tower Isle, St Mary, is currently based at the Ocho Rios Fire Station. A Prospect College alumnus, Plunkett and three fellow graduates, on June 29, returned to their alma mater to receive special awards for their outstanding academic achievements. Among the attendees was Kesha Miller, Donovan’s mother, who sells fruits and refreshments at the entrance to the school. When it was time for Plunkett to collect his award, she proudly secured her goods and watched her son, in his fireman’s uniform, receive his accolade from the Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Stewart Beckford.
“Donovan has made history, the youngest firefighter in Jamaica at 18 years old,” announced principal Gregory Wint to an applauding audience.
Plunkett excelled academically during his three years at Prospect College, passing seven of the eight Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects he sat. He achieved success in Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, English Language, Integrated Science, Information Technology, Human and Social Biology, and Social Studies.
Plunkett’s mother was overwhelmed with pride as she watched him, dressed in his fireman’s uniform, accept his award from the commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade.
“Words can’t explain, words can’t explain. I am a fruit vendor. Put that in there!” she emphasised, expressing gratitude to principal Wint, housemaster Devon Glenn, and bandmaster Andrew Coley for their roles in her son’s development.
After collecting his award, Plunkett embraced his mother, placed his firefighter’s cap on her head, and kissed her.
“I feel very good seeing I grew up in a single-parent home, mother alone. To make her proud was always my goal,” he said. “It’s not finished right here, but at least I finished part of the goal. So this is a great feeling,” he said.
The youngest of five siblings, Plunkett has heaped praises on his mother, acknowledging her instrumental support in his development.
“It’s a very, very good feeling, an indescribable feeling knowing that I grew up in a single-family home, my mother alone. I got a little help from my stepdad, but 95 per cent of the time it was my mother alone,” he said.
The young firefighter has expressed his readiness for the job.
“It’s a pleasure to help people and save lives,” Plunkett said, dismissing doubts about his abilities due to his youth and slim physique. “I am very, very confident. Based on the training and how I did in the activities and simulations, I am very, very confident that I can manage.”
The Prospect College graduation ceremony, held weeks after the institution received an RJRGleaner Honour Award for education in 2023, saw 10 cadets graduate, all placed in jobs or institutions of higher learning. Notable awards included the Sir Harold Mitchell trophy to Tyrese Davis, the Mary Jean Mitchell Green trophy for academics to Richard Flynn, and the Lady Mitchell trophy to Raheem Phillips.
Prospect College, situated on the Prospect Plantation in Ocho Rios, was established to train young Jamaicans. Each boy admitted on a full scholarship becomes a cadet, with no fees required, and all must live on campus. The college admits young men aged 14 to 18 for a three-year residential programme, culminating in Caribbean Examinations Council-administered examinations.
“I am very pleased with the Prospect College graduating class of 2024 as the objectives of showcasing a display of academic excellence, while using the achievement of the graduates to inspire our current students, were both achieved,” the school’s principal said.