Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Then National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) has already started its preparedness for the start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs June 1 – November 30 with resource strengthening.

In preparation for the 2026 hurricane season, the NSWMA has procured several critical resources to strengthen its emergency response capacity such as the procurement of four water trucks, Starlink internet systems for all regions and Head Office to ensure reliable communication. In addition, two generators have been bought for its subsidiary Western Parks and Market and Southern Parks and Market to support operations during power outages.

In a detailed four-page post Hurricane Melissa Report to Parliament on earlier this week, the public cleansing and garbage collection arm of the government reports that it has implemented several proactive measures to enhance readiness and response efficiency, including: 

•      Supplementary Contractors – Engagement of contractors who will be placed on standby in the event of a hurricane or severe storm.

•      Heavy Equipment – Arrangements for heavy-duty equipment to be readily available to facilitate debris removal and the clearance of blocked roads and inaccessible areas. 

•      Training – Ongoing routine training for chainsaw operators across all regions. 

•      Servicing – Servicing and testing generators to ensure operational readiness. 

•      Fleet Location – Strategic positioning of trucks designated across multiple locations within each region to mitigate access challenges in the event of flooding. 

•      Communication – Appointment of designated contact personnel and deputies in parish to improve coordination and communication. 

•      Fueling – Provision for a mobile fuel unit to supply company vehicles in the event of fuel shortages within affected areas.

•      Bucket Truck – Utilization of the bucket truck assigned to the Parks and Gardens Division to assist with the pre-emptive trimming of high tree limbs. 

The NSWMA is continuing its clean-up of bulky waste from Hurricane Melissa, as a preventative measure ahead of the hurricane season. The Jamaican parliament has been told by the authority that it has started distribution of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to staff assigned to emergency response teams.

These initiatives are aimed at improving the NSWMA’s overall resilience, response time, and operational efficiency in the face of future weather-related events.