About the project

The governments of Jamaica and Japan, in April last year, signed a grant agreement for the provision of J$1.6 billion (¥=1.39 billion/US$12.58 million) to fund the implementation of the ‘Improvement of Emergency Communication System Project’.

The funds are being disbursed in tranches for procurement of equipment.

The project aims to provide an effective emergency telecommunications infrastructure and platform to facilitate timely communication among government agencies and first responders during an emergency. It includes:

– Integration of the National Works Agency (NWA) microwave network for data communication;

– Installation of communication systems that will serve an additional 24 repeater locations, up from the nine stations ODPEM currently operates;

– Early-warning sirens at 15 locations in three communities.

It will also facilitate the acquisition of radio equipment, transmission and reception devices to critical response entities and for placement at key offshore locations – the Morant and Pedro Cays.

The project will significantly strengthen ODPEM’s preparedness to respond in the event of natural disasters through mechanisms to improve the timeliness of response and recovery at the national, parish and community levels.

The project is critical for the improvement of public security and safety; fire rescue, search and rescue (marine and land) and medical emergencies; evacuation planning, communi-cation and mobilisation; the Emergency Operations Centre; and for the upgrading of communities and areas prone to flooding, storm surges, landslides and other hazards.