KINGSTON, July 18 (JIS): Approximately 500 young people who are engaged in the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) will be assigned to do Hurricane Beryl damage assessment in communities islandwide. Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in a statement in the House of Representatives on July 16, said that the youth workers will play an integral role in the...

KINGSTON, July 6 (JIS): Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is assuring residents of Southern Clarendon, who were hard hit by Hurricane Beryl, that the Government will provide assistance in ensuring their full recovery. Speaking during a visit to the Rocky Point Community Centre on Saturday (July 6), which is being used as a shelter for displaced residents, the...

Lieutenant Kyle-Anthony Mundell (centre) of the Jamaica Defence Force, explains the roles and functions of combat engineers to a curious young patron at the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) All Hazards Expo and Emergency Cook-Off, held at the St. William Grant Park, downtown Kingston on Friday June 21. Looking on is Lieutenant Rojae Pickersgill.

The St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Preparedness Committee is ramping up the parish’s readiness for the forecast above-average six-month 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1. The Committee, on Monday (June 3), hosted a disaster forum in partnership with other State agencies to assess St. Elizabeth’s state of readiness for the season, for which 17 to 25 named...

As Jamaica approaches the start of the 2024 hurricane season, Acting Director General for the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, has underscored the importance of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). “If something happens to you, who is the first person that will come to your aid? It’s your neighbour, if you’re neighbourly, which everyone should...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising schools and businesses to implement a warden system to assist with the coordination and safe evacuation of persons during emergencies.  “Companies and schools should ensure that they have floor wardens. These persons should be so trained and equipped where they can check the facility to ensure that everyone has...

Portland’s over 100 emergency shelters have been inspected and declared ready by the parish’s Municipal Corporation as the entity heightens its preparedness for the 2023 hurricane season. Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Megan Henry-Bromwell, told JIS News that this is a routine annual undertaking to ensure that the parish attains a certain level of readiness for the season. “Normally, before...