Caribe Wave Drill Enhances Jamaica’s Tsunami Readiness

This year’s Caribe Wave Tsunami Readiness Exercise, conducted in Port Maria, St. Mary, on March 19, yielded valuable data to enhance Jamaica’s disaster preparedness and response systems.

According to Regional Coordinator at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Marlon Brown, the exercise was instrumental in assessing the country’s readiness for a potential tsunami.

The annual regional exercise, initiated in 2011, brought together Jamaica and more than 40 countries and territories across the Caribbean to test tsunami warning systems, communication networks, and evacuation plans.

National drills were staged in 10 parishes, with Port Maria serving as the central hub for Jamaica’s activities.

Speaking with JIS News, Mr. Brown described this year’s exercise as “groundbreaking”, highlighting the successful testing of a new emergency notification system.

The system deployed in Port Maria featured six siren sites, which could be activated either remotely or manually.

Additionally, a public address system was utilised at the assembly point, located at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St. Mary office.

Alerts were also sent directly to mobile phones within a defined geographic area through a partnership with telecommunications providers – FLOW and Digicel.

“For me, that went well, in terms of testing the notifications,” Mr. Brown indicated, adding that the team was keen on evaluating the system’s full capabilities.

He further noted that the exercise helped to identify gaps, which will guide future improvements.

“It was most important for Jamaica and Port Maria at this time to be able to participate in this drill… to assess where we are, and to look at whatever gaps arose and how we can develop on mending or filling those gaps, going forward,” he said.

Mr. Brown also praised the strong collaboration among participating agencies, describing the coordination as seamless.

“[When] we had our last check meeting… [we] brought in everybody back on board to identify where we were, [whether there] were any gaps… did we have all the information and was everything in place. The police were spot on – they did their briefing from early and got the teams out and going,” he added.

The Regional Coordinator also highlighted the contribution of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), noting that teams were strategically deployed to assist with alarm activation and provide on-the-ground safety support, with a fire truck and medical personnel on standby.

He further highlighted the role of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, as well as the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

“We did wellness checks in the schools, wellness checks within the business district, and we had a wellness tent at the assembly point. So those things got in place seamlessly,” Mr. Brown stated.