Early warning systems for Port Maria, Bog Walk, Old Harbour Bay
PORT Maria in St Mary, and Old Harbour Bay and Bog Walk in St Catherine have been chosen as the areas where the first three early warning systems are to be set up to alert communities to threats of floods, storm surges, landslides and other disasters.
The announcement was made at last week’s meeting of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) Parish Disaster Preparedness and Public Health Committee by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
The warning systems, according to Sophia Mitchell, regional coordinator for the ODPEM, will be set up in 15 spots within the three areas and will include sirens.
She was responding to queries from People’s National Party councillor Eugene Kelly (Whitfield Town Division) who wanted to know how the agency would manage in the event of an earthquake.
“Do we have sniffer dogs or would they be imported? Are persons being trained to move through rubble and buildings demolished by an earthquake? In case of a tsunami, are there early warning systems?” asked Kelly, who pointed out that in modern cities the people should have knowledge of where to go should disaster strike.
Mitchell, in response, said that the three early warning systems to improve emergency communication formed part of an agreement signed by Finance Minister Audley Shaw on April 6, 2017 with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
She said that submissions have, meanwhile, been made to add other vulnerable communities to the list of areas where early warning systems should be set up.
The ODPEM has also received international help to train a number of firemen in search and rescue techniques. The Jamaica Fire Brigade would play a leading role in rescue efforts in the event of an earthquake, she said.
The JICA agreement signed by Shaw is designed to significantly improve the island’s communication capability before, during and after disasters. Under the arrangement, Japan will disburse a US$12.58-million grant to Jamaica over four years to purchase and procure equipment and other implements for the improvement of the island’s emergency communication system.
