Suspended firefighter takes fight to new heights

#JamaicaGleaner
Leo Bennett, the Jamaican Fire Brigade (JFB) sergeant who staged a one-man protest last year May and was suspended, was seen this morning on top of the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre in St Andrew once again advocating for the rights of firefighters.
For unlimited exclusive stories and value-added digital content,
» Subscribe to Gleaner Premium: jamaica-gleaner...
» Sign up for our newsletters to get local and world stories delivered straight to your inbox: cutt.ly/HzqfUA5
Connect with The Gleaner!
» Like us on Facebook: Jamaica Gleaner
» Tweet us on Twitter: JamaicaGleaner
» Follow us on Instagram: / jamaicagleaner
The Gleaner is the Caribbean’s leading news source, bringing you credible news and information that matter. From the latest in current affairs, breaking stories, sports, entertainment and more; we deliver all the information you need in print, online and in your social media feeds.
Continue to enjoy The Gleaner video stories here...
Jamaica Gleaner
@JamaicaGleaner

[@Waitaminute2015]

Workers unite, and demand to be heard! He's not even asking for much more than basic rights and safety equipment!

[@Oneluv522]

Nuff respect to this firefighter hat's of to you sir!

[@queenb5068]

He is very smart .no.joke about it

[@yuhz1m1]

This man deserves a medal.

[@yaniquewilson8362]

Can I tell yuh😊

[@seyonasutherland4810]

Thank you gleaner for allowing this man’s side of the story to be heard

[@andrearobinson1045]

Love you sir one man against the world 💖

[@nyomiblue2670]

It not the first time he did it by him self🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 wish there was more Jamaican like him

[@delorisgrant6727]

I love this man he speaks for the others

[@ronwhyte-ss1mh]

Yes my brother it time men like you to stand up for what is right I respect your actions you take on behalf of you and your colleagues..🤛👍😀

[@chylton855]

Stand up for your right sir - so brave, like a Paul Bogle.

[@qritikk]

the fact we aint even know what paul bogle looks like and we have some random dude's statue and picture up as him 🤣

[@A.Walker.]

A worthy protest!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽✊🏽 It's a travesty what these firefighters, and others, have to put up with, all while risking their lives for others!

[@empressannjam1]

Management must listen to the people, he is doing the best to get his message across even if he has to stand alone, kudos to him

[@tbullpeace1874]

They should promote him to Captain. The man extremely passionate about his job. I’ve worked in the system and whenever some of these so called managers get promotion or move up in rank, they forget where they came from. The rank and file is forgotten about. Theses guys are exposed to a lot of things . The man just speaking the truth. People taking this for a joke , but it could be anyone a them.

[@lifewithshir3642]

The fact is he won't get the chance. He wants to help , they do not. The plan is to always keep the ones in want always wanting. Sad reality!!

[@sonialeecranston5790]

One person can really make a difference I hope that his brave action will translate into something positive.

[@Princessan463]

Why do they always try to tarnish a person's reputation when the person speak out on the injustes that they face.

[@proutie06]

This devastates me. I know how hard these firefighters work and it has to resort to this poor man taking this medium for his voice to be heard. Shame on our Jamaican government. Kudos Sgt Bennett.😍💕💕💕👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@bobcosmic]

Message to Leo Bennett,. Your rank may be sergeant but yuh ah real general. Props to you. If Jamaica nuh simmer down, de pot ah go bwoil ova and who will be there to deal with the spillage ? Igh sah

[@shaneseblake8539]

Seh it loud deh fi the ppl in the back fi hear plz👍

[@Yahlive4ever]

As a Jamaican This Made Smile 🇯🇲✊🏿

[@cornelfrancis7615]

From a retired Ff in the UK, respect to you, maybe you should think about going into 'politricks' when you retire.😂😂. What you have to remember is this, politicians do not like spending money on the emergency services because they get nothing back. The difference with Jamaica and the UK is this, Jamaica they will fob you off with excuses and not care what you think whilst here in the UK they will tell the local councils to deal with it........unless you live in London plus and it is a big plus, the public love the Fire and Ambulance service and the government know it. Get the public on your side and not just local but all fire station have to participate across island then confront the government, get petitions signed by the public, contact the news paper and news channel and bombard them with your demands...............Good Luck.

[@lg7660]

Why are they suspending him? In the Jamaica charter of Fundamental rights it says "All persons in Jamaica are entitled to the right to freedom of expression and the right to seek, receive, distribute or disseminate information, opinions and ideas through any media." The man needs justice, and if his voice was being heard he wouldn't have to take it to the street. They are punishing him by suspending him for seeking better work conditions. What a shame. The media needs to follow up with him to ensure that he is back at work immediately.

[@mariasproducts2186]

Please be safe.Thanks for all you do daily

[@keronfowler3284]

Respect bro pure nastiness going on in Jamaica and the people in authority acting like all is well for hardworking Jamaicans mean while we.suffer with their incompetence

[@jojoyah_1236]

MOR POWER TO THIS FIGHER FIGHTER and HIS COLLEAGUES who are in this fight to see better for Jamaica.

[@tevin1819]

Facts stay bless JA🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@jacquelinejackson5843]

Get up! Stand up! Stand up for your rights! Bob would be proud.

[@dougiethompson1206]

Stand for what you believe even if them kill you Love the fight bro don't stop want to see a different Jamaica

[@christopherbennett2917]

Jah know star ,,tears pan top a tears 😭,,,,big up youth more power

[@ScaryScared-sq9si]

Need more Jamaicans like him

[@Velvet123-t6n]

Some people in Jamaica have no behavior.. The woman with her loud self just keeps talking ..SMH

[@sleepy452]

Same goes for the nurses my lady had to quit from the hospital sometimes she works mths straight without a day off she got sick several times and had to take bed rest the last time this happened she decided to resign because her health comes first.

[@alekmunroe2503]

This man sick 😊😊

[@tawsmith1932]

He needs a lawyer to get his job back

[@missbeautykaykitchen2455]

Wow big up Leo I thought you were there for other reasons but you risk it for a worthy cause respect 🙏

[@jacquimiller2827]

I would NEVER suspend him! In fact I would applaud him for standing up for a better package for himself and his colleagues so they can provide this country with proper service and go home and live comfortably!

[@omaranderson3678]

Now the public needs to back him up by having a peaceful demonstration

[@donnalemard745]

Well acculated my brother bless you

[@shanescott2538]

Wow I really do feel his pain

[@mrmichael610]

Every single person in Jamaica have mental problem including me too

[@bessk8847]

Mental health is not taking seriously ...love is lacking in this world and social media is spreading poison to the youth .

[@gracelewis1633]

Respect to you sir stand up fi u right.

[@donaldmendez8817]

Do u thing my bro thank u for doing it straight

[@madicc6143]

The money is being wasted you hear dat. A true thing

[@annettestewart2471]

The worsening the man is not a mad man he is getting out a points and it explain everything what he wants to get out the public

[@Tammyfamous]

Big up g respect 🫡 hats 🧢 of my g bless speak 🗣️ for the voiceless

[@shaylagreydixon5910]

So because hes talking for the right hes Mad that's all these people in head say about us all in work place hotel, hospital, security etc. We Mad we stand with him . On now hes suspended standing with. If You don't stand with him we all fall.. hes not Mad hes in full sense right for one right for all .

[@maureenbassiere2453]

Rights and justice stands with you my bro. Wicked wicked wicked so sad but God is watching cannot do more than time. Time is the master

[@neslynreid918]

RESPECT MR. FIRE MAN. PROTECTION .

[@mikejunior80]

This guy should run for parliament.

[@lilliansmithwhyte8498]

THANKS 🇯🇲 GLEANER😪💔💧💪👍

[@howhow88]

Nuff respect to the sergeant.

[@jannettjones9165]

This is just a little of what those B4 us who protested for change went through... He understood the assignment, he knows his role as a leader too bad he didn't av more to join with him but sometimes all u need is one..

[@carolynmorrison1874]

You r the Firemen Hero

[@patrickblair2536]

It's a shame his comrades were a afraid to stand up with him, in the fight for better working conditions.

[@nevillesouth5606]

Where are the other so called firefighters they want this brother to fight and sarcrifice his work family his future his life then stand aside and laugh and called him madman and all sorts of names

[@annettebucknor1365]

Now I can see one person that has common sense.

[@roselynthompson1271]

🙌👏🙏❤️ I am from Rosie and love Mr. Dennis firefighter 🧑‍🚒.

[@ranerromusicworld1884]

They all wanted him down safe and sound 🎉👏

[@TSC.80]

Jamaica gone to tbe dogs in so many ways... It should not be that someone has to put their life at risk to get certain important point across to a government that swore to serve the people of a country... SMH!

[@desreendonaldson4233]

Nothing is wrong with this man standing up for better working environment the government off Jamaica is making there pockets longer with tax payer. Money sitting in parliament and getting better pay than the people who work crazy more pay for the builders of Jamaica

[@annettestewart2471]

Nuff nuff to Mr Leo Bennett they can't work with out stools it is so sad that he has to prove a point 👉 a real talk 🦜 and real patriot

[@susanchaplin5821]

Firefighter you are making your voice 👂 heard good job SIR

[@madeinjamaica7025]

Keep up the good fight

[@simonechandler7083]

True firefighter talking. Equilibrio rights and justice. Certainly a fighter

[@dagreonmargage9329]

United we stand we the people must change Jamaica.only the poor suffer

[@omarwesj743]

Real general

[@kevincodner4540]

Duty government system.. kmft.. inno sick me.. all them do a theif ..

[@mariasproducts2186]

You made a statement

[@suzancampbell7873]

UNITED we stand DIVIDED, we fall! It's sad to know they all share the same views, but he was the only one who was willing to stand up, or should I say CLIMB up; to let his voice be heard. I hope he gets a promotion. Who wants to work 7 consecutive days of the week, without a days rest ?

[@Gamesareus1]

We need fih mek sure them needs met and him come off of suspension immediately. Muzzling the horse that plow the field is a no no.

[@pennybodydovey]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@craigwilliams2744]

True Hero

[@annettefaison4011]

Pram pram🔥 man

[@flo-mariebennett972]

Big up yuhself Kunta. Let your voice be heard.

[@JSMNEWSTV]

I agree with this fight man

[@samuelgreen8088]

Good job my boy

[@uniciesmart2188]

Look at the length this Sgt had to go to for his concerns to be raised👀👀smh

[@matheomorgan7274]

Mad at respect Mr Bennett. Management worst than the jlp admin.

[@orlandofairclough6574]

Nuff respect to fire fighter👍

[@melisasimms2348]

We the public thank this man for bringing this to our awareness . God worked it that he could not be silenced . The annointing was up on him. Suppose as he said a fire broke out in a call center. Instead you suspend him for highlighting serious public health and safety concerns. Since nothing is wrong with this suspension, tell the nation who is responsible for suspending civil servants because they are voicing serious concerns. Let the nation know which kind of evil is allowed to lead this spiritual warfare. May the Holy Ghost fire break out right up under thier beds . I am appauled . Suppose a strong wind had come and blow superman surgeant offa the transport center, how would the feel to know they drove the worker to this . Want kind of people we have leading our institutions . I am disgusted. The man tried to talk . All they did was suspend . The blood of Jesus wash stiffle all abuse of power .

[@geotalktruthyouth]

this man need fi deh pon one a the jamaican dollar bill

[@gavelyoung7157]

🙌🙌

[@gbb82]

Why has he been suspended?

[@yourstrulytassy1370]

Because of a previous protest for unfair work hours i believe

[@norahs104]

Give the man his job back, thank someone know what he is saying

[@tonybrown4092]

Man of action

[@craigwilliams2744]

Get up Stand up

[@rosenellataylor9508]

Good answer 😅😅

[@sherallenallen2286]

All who him insane he is not

[@dannicodner1745]

Big him up.

[@theresamorrison4935]

I might have to try that out

[@goodness8910]

It’s all downhill Government again this is ridiculous

[@susanchaplin5821]

That’s the next PM big up yourself nothing is wrong with you medical talk truth

[@JohnDoe-ms6xd]

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@rbsbemotivated6160]

Respect mi Breda

[@1YUNG_LYAN]

Ok journalism.

[@debbiegallimore4327]

OMG WOW😱😱😱😱

[@P-SIZZ]

It's sad that you have to go to the extreme to be heard .

[@safia59]

Why not.?

[@muffy9215]

This is a complete disgrace. I feel bad for those guys.

[@topform7528]

Wow thought it was a mad mn

[@andrenecollins221]

Tears 😢 😹 😿 😭 come a mi eye ... what is wrong with us.. support the man.. now them a say him mad 😠 😡.. the government will always mek u mad.. 🙄 in the USA no difference so mi a cheer fi him.🤛🤜👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🤝🤝🤝🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@sylvestermontgomery5160]

Great job bro but it's only a pity u had to go that hight to let the system had no doubt but to listen ur plea sad days a head for this country

[@ajtherichkidjunior8090]

So my brother all Fier man fe get good pay all so benefits

[@colours4301]

i loike this, rather than the JTA where the backstabbers are lurking to betray to their own demise...me alone and god for us all

[@CHANGER147]

Correctional officer need to step out to!!

[@MichaelDaley555]

I am going to ask the Government, please 🙏 give a listening hear and please do something for these firemen? I know Our Priminister will see this and I know He is a just man so I expect changes, these are valid concerns and we are all Jamaicans, mek wi take care of each other!