On Tuesday, May 27, the KSAMC convened a State of Readiness Meeting with members of the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Disaster Committee (PDC) to assess preparedness measures ahead of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. As usual, we extend our sincere appreciation to the agencies and stakeholders that participated in this important exercise and reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the residents of the municipality.

While forecasts indicate that the upcoming hurricane season may be below average in activity, the Committee emphasized that preparedness must remain a priority. Discussions highlighted the need to transition from a singular hazard-focused approach to amore comprehensive multi-hazard preparedness framework, ensuring that the municipality is equipped to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies and disasters.

In keeping with this objective, several key decisions were taken. All sub-committees of the Parish Disaster Committee have been directed to convene prior to the Committee's next scheduled meeting in June. Additionally, a hurricane simulation exercise involving all members of the PDC will be undertaken to test the strengthened operational readiness and inter-agency coordination. 

The Committee also agreed to develop an enhanced public education and awareness programme, drawing on the expertise of all participating agencies to better reach vulnerable communities and promote disaster preparedness at the household and community levels.

We will continue to advance our annual preparedness initiatives, including Shelter Management Training, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Training, sensitization programmes targeting vulnerable and homeless populations, and the cleaning of critical drainage infrastructure throughout the municipality.

We want to reinforce the importance of personal responsibility in disaster preparedness. While government agencies and emergency responders have critical roles to play, every citizen must take the necessary steps to prepare their homes, families, and communities for potential hazards. Disaster preparedness is most effective when it is embraced as a shared responsibility between public authorities and the people we serve.

Representatives present at the meeting provided updates on their respective levels of preparedness and demonstrated a collective willingness to work collaborativelyto ensure the safety, resilience, and well-being of the residents of Kingston and St. Andrew.

We must also express disappointment that several agencies with statutory responsibility and membership on the Parish Disaster Committee were absent from this important meeting. Disaster preparedness requires the active participation and commitment of all designated stakeholders.

The meeting also served as a reminder that the KSAMC's Parish Disaster Committee is a statutory body established under the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2015, which prescribes both its membership and functions. As such, all designated agencies and stakeholders are expected to actively participate in the Committee's work to ensure a coordinated, effective, and legally compliant approach to disaster risk management across the municipality.

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