Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Ocho Rios, St Ann:

Although the 2006 hurricane season is now at the half-way stage, Jamaica is still not yet fully prepared to cope with the effects of a major disaster.

Critical areas such as telecommunications, availability of shelters and adequately-trained response personnel are two major challenges still facing the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

"Jamaica's level of preparedness ranges between 70 per cent to 75 per cent," says ODPEM's acting director general Ronald Jackson in an interview with The Gleaner.

Major concern

Of major concern to ODPEM is the present communications system which is limited to land-based telephone. There is also concern about the availability of some shelters which have not yet been prepared since suffering extensive damage during Hurricane Ivan.

Mr. Jackson was attending a three-day Caribbean forum on the Effective Use of Information and Communication Technology in Ocho Rios, St Ann, organised by the International Telecommunication Union and the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation and hosted by Jamaica's Office of Utilities Regulation.

Fear

Mr. Jackson expressed fear that if an earthquake or a hurricane should strike at this time, the telephone system could be easily lost and create some amount of complication in relief management.

He said ODPEM is aware of plans by the Government to install an islandwide telecommunication system through the police network which will enable the key elements of the National Disaster Management System to communicate especially in times of disaster.

However, Mr. Jackson could not say how soon this new system will be in place, but said that ODPEM was instituting its own contingency plan. "We are presently putting in a redundant system so that it will enhance our communication with the community level persons and the parish council representative".

The matter of shelters

On the matter of shelters the ODPEM acting director general pointed out that there are over 900 in stock, with most in very good shape, while there are some that are urgently in need of attention.

Although not finding the situation acceptable Mr. Jackson said that ODPEM is now focusing on trying to reduce the vulnerability of the various communities islandwide which will effectively reduce the number of people who will require shelter.

Mr. Jackson said ODPEM also intends to seek the assistance of the Red Cross and other agencies to help man shelters where assigned persons fail to show up for duties.

But despite the shortcomings, Mr. Jackson still remains confident that if a hurricane should hit Jamaica the country will be able to cope with the challenges.