JICA to Hand Over Disaster Emergency Communication Equipment in June

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is scheduled to officially hand over the disaster emergency communication equipment and related infrastructure to the Government next month.

More than $2 billion has been invested in the project, aimed at developing a national emergency communication system to coordinate incident response among key government agencies and volunteers.

Providing an update in the House of Representatives on May 28, Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the initiative under ‘The implementation of Emergency Communications System Improvement Project in Jamaica’ has extended the country’s emergency communication coverage to approximately 95 per cent.

He explained that the essential feature of this bilateral initiative between the Governments of Jamaica and Japan, is the installation of a wireless communication system and related equipment, to ensure swift and secure communication between critical agencies and vulnerable communities through a single radio communication platform.

“I am pleased to advise that 15 Early Warning siren towers were built at Port Maria in St. Mary, Old Harbour Bay and in the Angels to Bog Walk corridor in St. Catherine. This early warning system will transmit messages issued by ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management) to residents and commuters in these vulnerable communities. It will also facilitate evacuation training and simulation exercises in these communities,” he said, during his contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

He noted that as part of the project, 292 mobile radios have been installed in emergency vehicles, to make the country’s first responders better able to coordinate emergency response activities.

Additionally, he said 120 base station radios are now located at 14 integrated command stations islandwide, including the Municipal Corporations and Public Health Departments, fire stations, police stations and hospitals.

“There is now repeater and microwave equipment at 24 repeater sites across the country, thereby extending Jamaica’s emergency communication coverage to approximately 95 per cent,” the Minister noted.

“This is an important bit of technology for maintaining communication with the most remote part of our country through every stage of disaster from preparedness to recovery. This is a new day in emergency management. This has never happened before. The effective completion of this project could not have come at a better time, just before the start of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season,” he said.

He pointed out that the handover will coincide with the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Governments of Jamaica and Japan and will mark 34 years of cooperation between JICA and Jamaica.

“The Government of Jamaica cherishes this tremendous partnership and friendship and we look forward to achieving greater things together in the years to come,” the Minister said.

The project’s implementation was spearheaded by the ODPEM and co-financed by the Government of Jamaica and JICA.