GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has proposed the creation of a Caribbean Emergency Response Hub as part of a raft of strategies aimed at strengthening regional reaction to disasters.

Delivering the keynote address during Monday’s opening ceremony at the Caribbean Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) 2025 Conference, Vernon proposed that the hub be strategically located in either Jamaica or Barbados, to serve as a centralised base for essential supplies, medical equipment, and personnel.

His suggestion is for the proposed hub to be linked to all Caribbean fire departments in order to enable swift, coordinated deployment in the event of natural disasters.

“Instead of scrambling for resources, this hub would serve as the go-to deployment centre, ensuring immediate action whenever disaster strikes. Its operations would be supported by all Caribbean nations, turning our small-size regional vulnerability into regional strength,” Vernon said.

The mayor also underscored the need for standardised fire and rescue training across the region, and proposed the creation of a Caribbean Fire and Rescue Training Academy that would provide a regional certification system, allowing responders from different nations to train together and operate seamlessly during crises.

“Imagine an annual Caribbean emergency response drill where fire chiefs and rescue teams from every nation come together for live disaster simulations. Imagine responders from Jamaica working alongside those from Barbados and St Lucia so [that] when the time comes there is no hesitation, only action,” he said.

To strengthen communication and readiness, Vernon called for the development of a regional disaster intelligence network that would integrate seismic monitoring, storm tracking, and emergency alerts, using AI-driven predictive analytics to anticipate and prepare for threats.

“Knowledge is power. We must anticipate, not just react,” he said.

The mayor introduced two innovative concepts: an AI-powered emergency dispatch system; and mobile, solar-powered emergency shelters. The dispatch system would use drones, real-time crisis mapping and analytics to guide emergency teams, while the shelters would provide clean water, medical supplies, and power to communities cut off during disasters.

Also during the event, acting director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Richard Thompson urged Caribbean fire chiefs to rise to the challenge of building an efficient, seamless, and unwavering regional emergency response system. Citing Jamaica’s experiences with disasters such as Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Thompson stressed the region’s vulnerability and the critical need for unified, strategic leadership in disaster preparedness.

“As fire chiefs you are first responders, but equally important are your responsibilities as strategists, protectors, and community leaders,” Thompson said.

The CAFC, in collaboration with the Jamaica Fire Brigade, is hosting the CAFC 2025 Conference under the theme: ‘Fostering Regional Collaboration for Emergency Response’, from May 11-17 at Princess Grand Hotel in Green Island, Hanover.

The event brings together fire chiefs, emergency managers, and public safety stakeholders from across the Caribbean for a week of strategic discussions, training sessions, and collaborative planning aimed at strengthening the region’s emergency response capabilities.

“This conference represents a powerful platform for collaboration, innovation and the forging of strategic partnerships that will enhance our collective response to the evolving challenge we face. Your presence here, ladies and gentlemen, is a testament to our shared commitment to excellence, readiness and unity in service. I therefore extend heartfelt thanks to CAFC for its unwavering dedication to advancing the fire service across the region,” said Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner Stewart Beckford.