ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica- The St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation is ramping up its disaster preparedness activities, aimed at strengthening the parish’s readiness and resilience to natural disasters.

Parish Coordinator for Disaster Preparedness, Ornella Lewis, said as part of this initiative, the Disaster Preparedness Committee will begin shelter reinspection activities in February.

This is to ensure that the designated emergency shelters are in top condition to accommodate the people of the parish in times of disaster, she added.

“As such, we will do some shelter markings as well as prepositioning hygienic and other relief items during the period from February to April,” Lewis outlined.

She was addressing Tuesday’s Disaster Preparedness, Hazard Mitigation & Safety Committee meeting at the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, in Black River.

St Elizabeth has some 27 emergency shelters.

During the height of Hurricane Beryl on July 3 last year, more than 100 people sought refuge in shelters across the parish.

Lewis noted that although the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is a key focus of these preparations, the committee is also addressing other potential hazards, including earthquakes, as part of a broader approach.

“So, the State agencies will be a part of these activities, and these include the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), and the health department, among others,” Lewis explained.

In the meantime, the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation will host a business continuity planning training session in Treasure Beach, on February 26.

This initiative is to be conducted in partnership with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and others, with the aim of equipping businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain operations during and after a disaster.

“We are in high gear for all hazards, and we continue with our public education campaign throughout the parish,” Lewis pointed out.

In January, the St Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with ODPEM, JFB and other entities, conducted a series of earthquake drills, to test the parish’s readiness and resilience for the natural disaster.

The exercises formed part of Earthquake Awareness Month in Jamaica, which was observed in January.

–         JIS

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