Lake Group Donates 150 Cots to Boost Westmoreland’s Emergency Response

Emergency response and shelter operations in Westmoreland are set to receive a major boost, thanks to the donation of 150 cots from the Lake Group of Companies to the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation.

The cots will be used to support members of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), including representatives from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), who play a critical role in disaster response efforts.

The presentation took place during the Corporation’s monthly meeting in Savanna-la-Mar on April 9, where Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar and Chairman of the Corporation, Councillor Danree Delancy, expressed gratitude for the timely contribution.

Highlighting the challenges faced during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Councillor Delancy underscored the importance of adequate sleeping arrangements for members of the EOC, who are often required to remain on site for extended periods.

“When we had Hurricane Melissa, we were scrambling to find adequate sleeping material for the members of the EOC who were in residence here from the day before the storm right up to weeks after,” he noted.

Against this background, the Mayor said the donation will significantly enhance conditions for emergency personnel who are required to work overnight during crises.

“So, your kind gesture will go a far way in helping us to overcome that situation. When next we have a situation where we need to have our EOC members come in and stay overnight, we’ll have more comfortable sleeping material for them to rest on,” Councillor Delancy added.

For his part, Director of the Lake Group, Michael Lake, noted that the donation forms part of the company’s broader effort to support communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa and to strengthen preparedness for future events.

“It’s a privilege to be able to support the [Corporation]. We are trying to provide a number of cots to six parishes that were affected by Hurricane Melissa,” he said.

Mr. Lake acknowledged that while the donation comes after the immediate impact of Hurricane Melissa, it remains an important step in strengthening readiness ahead of the 2026 hurricane season.