ODPEM Cautions the Public as the Dry Period Continues (Tuesday February 9, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is reminding the public that we are currently in the traditional dry period, January to April. Read More

Model Earthquake Contingency Plan for the Caribbean (Friday January 29, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has sought to address the region’s vulnerability to earthquakes through the Austrian funded Earthquake Readiness Capacity Building project. This was conducted through a two day workshop held on January 27 & 28, 2010 at the ODPEM’s office. Read More

Help Haiti- Suspension on Items of Clothing Items (Thursday, January 28, 2010) In an effort to make space for the receipt and shipping of priority items to Haiti, the ODPEM is suspending the collection of clothing items with immediate effect until further notice. Read More

Help Haiti - “Priority Donations (Wednesday January 20, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM)would like to thank the Jamaican people for the tremendous support they have given for the Help Haiti Initiative. Recognizing that, the focus now needs to be on keeping the sick and injured alive, and then look towards rebuilding, The ODPEM is asking persons to focus on the critical needs list by donating bottled water, Non-perishable Food items,Tents, medical supplies or make cash donations to any branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) account number- 21-2387304. Read More

Drop, Cover & Hold Methodology (Tuesday January 19, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management (ODPEM) wishes to advise the public that "Drop, Cover, and Hold" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. This methodology is the accepted methodology promoted by The ODPEM, the US Federal, state and local emergency management experts, the Red Cross, and other official preparedness organizations. Contact: Kimberley Weller, Information Officer kweller@odpem.org.jm Read More

Earthquake Felt in the Cayman Islands (Tuesday January 19, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Earthquake Unit that a felt earthquake of magnitude 5.8 (USGS report) and a focal depth of 10 kilometers was located in the Cayman Islands region at approximately 9:23 a.m. EST. Reportedly felt in: Half- Way- Tree Kingston/St. Andrew. Read More

Help Haiti- ODPEM Central Coordinating Agency (Sunday January 17, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management (ODPEM) wishes to remind the public that Jamaica is the Sub-Regional focal point for the coordination of the regional response to the CARICOM Haiti operations. The Office of the Prime Minister has mandated the ODPEM to be the central coordinating agency in Jamaica for all disaster relief supplies including donations (cash/kind) for the Help Haiti initiative. Read More

Help Haiti- Volunteers Continue to Show Support (Sunday January 17, 2010) Volunteers continue to show their support for the Help Haiti initiative coordinated by The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). ODPEM reports that there has been an outpouring of requests from the Jamaican public to assist with aiding the relief efforts to Haiti. Read More

Help Haiti- Supply of Barrels (Saturday January 16, 2010) The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is asking the Jamaican public to supply us with barrels in an effort to help with the packaging of relief items for Help Haiti. Barrels can be delivered to our new location 2-4 Haining Road, Kingston 5 starting tomorrow Sunday January 17, 2010. Read More

Help Haiti- ODPEM to Coordinate National Relief Efforts (Friday January 15, 2010 ) The Government of Jamaica through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) would like to thank the Jamaican people for the tremendous support they have given to our Haitian brothers and sisters over the past week. In an effort to centralize the Jamaican Aid, the Office of the Prime Minister has mandated the ODPEM Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to coordinate the national relief process. Read More