Deputy Commissioner of Fire and Rescue Operations

Deputy Commissioner Kevin Haughton joined the Jamaica Fire Brigade in December 1996. From the inception, he was resolute in making this profession into a lifelong career. His love for the profession served as the primary source of motivation that resulted in his ascendance through the various ranks, earning him the position of one of three second highest officers of the Jamaica Fire Brigade – Deputy Commissioner. Throughout his tenure Mr. Haughton served in various ranks across Divisions and parishes.

His acting assignments include: Deputy Superintendent in charge of the Trelawny Division, to which he was appointed in 2010, Senior Deputy Superintendent in charge of St. Ann Division, Staff Officer to the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner – Area IV and Commissioner.

He was appointed Senior Deputy Superintendent in charge of Operations of the Kingston and St. Andrew (KSA) Division in May 2015 and in October of said year was promoted to the rank of Superintendent for said area. In April of 2019 he was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner – Officer in charge of Operations and now heads the Fire Safety, Prevention and Investigation Branch.

Deputy Commissioner Haughton has throughout the years engaged in various career development courses. These include: the Junior Command and Staff course at the Jamaica Defence Force (2009), the International Divisional Command course at the Fire Service College in England, the Strategic Command course at the Jamaica Constabulary Force (2019).
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Management and Science, currently the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC). Deputy Commissioner Haughton also completed courses at the Management Institute for National Development (MIND) that included: a certificate in Human Resource Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Senior Public Sector Management.

In 2015 he was the recipient of the Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service and in 2023 recipient of the Queens Jubilee award. He formerly served as a committee member of the Jamaica Combine Cadet Force. Deputy Commissioner Haughton is currently the President of the National Association of Fire Officers and Vice President of the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs. He is also a member of the Board of Trustee for the Jamaica Contributory Pension Plan for the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

Mr. Haughton believes, “all progress takes place outside the comfort zone” – Michael John Bobak