KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has reaffirmed that a comprehensive plan is in place to guide its response in the event of a major earthquake.

Assistant commissioner of police, Dr Gary McKenzie, who has been reassigned the Strategic Operations portfolio, gave the assurance during a JIS Think Tank on January 13.

Earthquake Awareness Week is being observed from January 11 to 18, under the theme ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’.

“As a police force, it is very important for us to be ready, and we are earthquake-ready. The first thing we will do as a result of an earthquake is to establish our command, and this is done at our headquarters,” said ACP McKenzie, adding that subcommands would also be established across the country.

He noted that once the command structure is activated, communication and coordination with key stakeholders would begin immediately.

Among the stakeholders are the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

ACP McKenzie further indicated that maintaining communication and reaching communities quickly are central to the JCF’s response and, as such, urged citizens to report emergencies through the appropriate channels immediately following an earthquake.

“Once we are so advised via whatever channels, we will seek to occupy the spaces. The key thing for us is to keep communication and to go into communities, and to ensure that we manage traffic, because people will be panicking and there is sometimes confusion,” he said.

The assistant commissioner also pointed out that the JCF works closely with the JFB to secure hazardous locations and support rescue efforts.

“We will also ensure that we coordinate with our fire service stakeholder to quarantine areas and to cordon off areas, so that they can act, and quell fires or secure persons,” he said.

Reassuring the public of the JCF’s readiness, ACP McKenzie emphasised that the police are equipped and trained to support national response efforts after an earthquake.

“Whether it be fire, crumbling buildings or persons need to be moved or traffic needs to be diverted and areas secured, the police are very much prepared to do that. We have our personnel who have been trained, sensitised, and we also have our various equipment that we will use to support the efforts,” he said.

ACP McKenzie also informed that following an earthquake, there may be situations where the Marine Police would be deployed.

“There are some places that we term vital ground. If, for example, there is an earthquake in the vicinity of Marcus Garvey Drive where we have PetroJam, then you could have oil spill and the sea, as well, could be affected. So, our Marine police would come into play as well as the JDF Coast Guard,” he said.

Spearheaded by the ODPEM, Earthquake Awareness Week seeks to engage citizens and strengthen public awareness around earthquakes.

-JIS