KSAMC Awards Six Shelter Managers

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has awarded six of its long-serving Shelter Managers.

At the event, held on August 25 at the Scouts Association of Jamaica headquarters in St. Andrew, the Managers received plaques and other tokens for their services.

The event was the Annual Shelter Management Conference, organised by the Corporation.

The awardees were Andrew Foster (10 years), Patricia Grindley (10 years), the late Sharon Smith (eight years), Oneil Robinson (12 years), Michelle Cookhorn (12 years), and Muriel McGowan (20 years).

Chairman of the KSAMC, and Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, said it was important to recognise the Managers, because their role is crucial in planning for emergencies and more so when disasters happen.

“The job you do is very important, and we see the importance when you are required to do the work,” the Mayor said, noting that they have done a “wonderful job” over the years, and “I thank you for volunteering.”

He added that another “significant role” of the managers is the sharing of information with agencies during disasters, and without the volunteers, many affected communities would not be reached on a timely basis.

The Mayor identified damage assessment as an area that the KSAMC Engineering Department will be training the managers in, so that improvement of skills can aid in early response, and the saving of lives.

The conference also looked at mental health, emergencies and Monkeypox.