To the rescue!
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Trained lifeguards have been added to the St James Municipal Corporation’s (SJMC) toolkit to cope with flooding during the Atlantic hurricane season. They will be joined by two tyre shop workers who saved the lives of Berris and Shannon Walters after their family’s car was swept away by flood water in April.
According to chairman of the corporation’s Disaster, Hazard and Mitigation Committee, Councillor Arthur Lynch, they will utilise the services of lifeguards who were trained under a programme facilitated by Harmony Beach Park. The councillor explained that more than 100 lifeguards were trained by the local lifeguard association between April and May of this year. With their certification in areas such as rescue and CPR, they are seen as ideal candidates to bolster the SJMC’s plans to minimise any negative impact from flooding. Employed elsewhere, these lifeguards will be contacted by the SJMC as needed.
“We have engaged the services of the persons that are now trained and certified as lifeguards to aid us in case we have an emergency in this hurricane season, especially in those areas known to be flooding — for example Dome to Creek Street, the Gully area and also Westgate where that unfortunate situation occurred,” Lynch told the Jamaica Observer West.
On April 19, 12-year-old Jennel Walters and her 68-year-old grandmother Beryl drowned in the Westgate area of Montego Bay. Quick action by Horatio Campbell and Clayvian Williams, who work at a nearby tyre shop, saved the lives of the teen’s grandfather Berris and her aunt Shannon. Campbell and Williams were later hailed as heroes during a brief ceremony hosted by the SJMC.
“The heroes that are situated by the Westgate bridge are also a part [of the planned response] and they’ll keep a vigilant eye open whenever it rains. I have spoken to the parish disaster coordinator to see if we can get some rescue ropes, you know the ones that the firefighters use. But, if not, they will get the regular rope in which we can do the necessary knots and ties so that they’ll be able to set lines and catch persons… washed away in swift waters,” Lynch explained.
Overall, the committee chairman said, the parish is generally prepared for the hurricane season.
“We have been through the necessary first aid training with the necessary persons. Shelter managers’ inspection and training was carried out to ensure that these persons have the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to act and their responsibility during a natural disaster,” he said.
He also repeated frequently made warnings for residents of St James to exercise caution during heavy rains.
“If you see the water rising above three feet, do not venture in it. Whether you driving a truck, a car, or walking, do not venture in the rising water, find an alternative route,” Lynch cautioned.