MONTEGO BAY, St James — Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon wants more funding and greater autonomy for committees established at the local level to deal with disasters such as last October’s Hurricane Melissa.

“The most challenging part was responding without adequate funding while navigating governance fragmentation,” Vernon told the Jamaica Observer about what it was like at the St James Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) in the immediate aftermath of Melissa.

“It needs a special budget for immediate response,” Vernon argued.

Activated on October 26 as the Category 5 storm slowly made its way towards the country’s south-west, the parish’s EOC was officially deactivated on March 3.

“The deactivation signals that the emergency phase is complete and Montego Bay is transitioning into structured recovery,” explained the mayor.

He still hopes to see improvements in the system, a desire based on how the EOC performed during the last four months.

“It needs legislative strengthening as a key mechanism for disaster management and recovery, especially within the context of climate change and our geophysical vulnerabilities. We need stronger local systems and funding,” said Vernon.

The mayor also spoke of the need for stronger legislative framework to remove fragmentation and strengthen coordination as well as the need for enhanced data integration of real-time mapping of shelters, damage assessments, and resource distribution.

“Investing in digital dashboards would sharpen situational awareness. There is need for more disaster infrastructure and technology, such as early-warning systems and shelters with back-up energy supply and auxiliary communication systems,” he insisted.

Melissa, the largest hurricane on record in the Atlantic, caused severe damage across sections of Jamaica, including St James, where recovery is still continuing.

“Citizens look to the municipal corporation to work virtually everything, but we do not control all functions of Government. Balancing immediate relief and response needs with structural gaps in resources and coordination required constant innovation and resilience,” Vernon stressed.

This, he said, tested the EOC’s capacity to deliver under pressure. However, he said it also highlighted some strengths.

“Despite the challenges, the team managed effectively. Each agency contributed its expertise, and the collaboration allowed us to restore critical services and deliver aid in record time,” he stated.

“The effectiveness of the EOC was evident in how quickly Montego Bay stabilised after the hurricane. Significant progress was made in approximately 10 days. A month later, we had ships in our port, airplanes on the runway, power in the business district, water supplied, waste being removed, supply chains restored, and the list goes on,” Vernon noted.

He pointed out that the EOC had regular meetings where its members worked out solutions to numerous challenges arising from the storm’s passage.

“The EOC was essential in bringing together agencies, first responders, and community stakeholders. It provided a central hub for coordination, ensuring that decisions were made quickly and transparently during Hurricane Melissa. It was a good experience,” Vernon told the Observer.

He also highlighted the committee’s role in reaching areas that had severe challenges as a result of being cut off due to the weather event.

“The EOC successfully engaged local volunteers, churches, and civic groups. This grass-roots involvement amplified official capacity and ensured relief reached vulnerable populations,” the mayor insisted.

“No leader wishes for disasters but, if faced with another emergency, I would absolutely rely on the EOC model again. It proved its worth as a hub of coordination, accountability, and resilience,” he added.

Vernon underscored that, despite the deactivation of the committee, there is still work to do.

“Our work continues in rebuilding, strengthening, and preparing for the future. This moment reflects both closure and renewal — closure of the emergency response, and renewal of our commitment to resilience and community strength,” Vernon said.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon during a meeting, last year, of the St James Emergency Operations Committee. .