TMC introducing drone technology to disaster preparedness

WESTERN BUREAU:

In a bid to increase its efficiency, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) will be utilising drone technology in collecting data collection for the remainder of the ongoing 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which started on June 1 and will conclude on November 30 annually.

According to Dion Hylton-Lewis, the disaster coordinator at the TMC, the corporation, which recently acquired two drones, has assigned one to the disaster preparedness unit, which she expects to greatly enhance the unit’s capacity to gather critical data, especially in the traditional flood-prone areas.

“We are now being more proactive and more modern in our preparation. The drone will help us to see the extent of flooding in areas like Wakefield and Jackson Town,” said Hylton-Lewis.

“The drone will be able to take pictures from which we will be able to plan on how to react just in case residents are marooned.”

The disaster coordinator said her department has been doing the requisite preparation to ensure that once a situation that requires the use of the drone arises, they will be able to utilise the technology.

“There are persons in the technical area of the TMC who can operate drones,” said Hylton-Lewis. “In addition, we plan to have someone from the department to be exposed to training.”

Critical tool

Roydell Hamilton, the councillor caretaker for the Martha Brae division, in which the flood-prone Zion community is located, is fully supportive of the decision to acquire the drone, which he believes is a critical tool, especially in flooding situations.

“I think the drone idea is a very good one,” said Hamilton. “It will be able to provide information from flooded areas, which are not readily accessible.”

Hylton-Lewis said preparation for any eventualities which may happen during the hurricane season started earlier this year in some of the areas prone to flooding.

“Earlier this year, we had a swift water training at Rio Bueno River. Participants were chosen from areas which are prone to flooding. The aim is to have persons trained on how to react before advanced help can reach the area. The training was conducted by officers from the Jamaica Fire Brigade,” noted the disaster coordinator.

Hylton-Lewis further noted that while her department is at the forefront of the disaster preparedness plans for the parish, other committees at the TMC are also involved in disaster preparedness activities.

“The main committee is the disaster committee. It is charged with the responsibility of coordinating all the data and passing it on for decision-making. There is also a welfare committee, which has a memorandum of understanding with grocers in specific districts,” she said.

“These grocers are expected to provide food and other necessary supplies to residents who may be in need,” the coordinator said. Lewis informed, “In Trelawny, there are 44 emergency centres. These are schools, churches and halls associated with the churches. The halls form part of 19 contingency shelters.”