JAMAICA: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001264 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/SPC/SO - JAMES SPOO US SOUTHCOM FOR BILL VANCIO STATE FOR WHA/CAR (KHARNE/RBUDDEN) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC EAID JM SUBJECT: JAMAICA: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING 1.(SBU) In response to the latest tracking of Hurricane Dean, Ambassador Johnson chaired an Emergency Action Committee (EAC) meeting on Friday august 17, 2007, attended by DCM, CON, RSO, MGT, GSO, IMO, DET CDR, OPA, P/E, DHS, USMS, NSA, MLO, DAO, Peace Corps and USAID. The DCM reviewed the current emergency action plan and stated that a Category-4 storm requires all Embassy Kingston personnel to report to the New Embassy Compound (NEC) until deemed safe to return to housing. 2.(U) USAID Acting Director Jim Harmon gave an update on the storm, still predicted to reach Category 4 by the time it reaches the vicinity of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands early Sunday morning, August 19, 2007. 3.(SBU) OFDA has sent a team of three people to assist. They will operate from the USAID building and report directly to acting USAID Acting Director Jim Harmon. 4.(SBU) Post's Authorized Departure request was approved this morning, and post is in contact with Air Jamaica about getting an extra flight, possibly to depart Kingston late August 17, or early August 18, with 60 seats reserved for dependents and non-essential personnel. The Management Section will send out an admin notice with the details and contact all affected households by phone and/or radio with the final details. 5.(SBU) Peace Corps has 107 people who are being split between Kingston and Montego Bay. Peace Corps plans to bring all Kingston area volunteers to the NEC for safety during the storm. During the 45 years the Peace Corps has been in Jamaica, there has never been an evacuation of any volunteers. Peace Corps has its own organic supplies and will not likely require any assistance from State. 6.(SBU) FMO reports Powell Plaza is structurally sound enough that it will likely be appropriate to house staff during the hurricane if the path of the storm changes. However the Emergency Action Plan will be in effect for a Category-3 or Category-4 storm, and all personnel not evacuating will report to the NEC. 7.(SBU) All personnel have been advised to report to the NEC no later than 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 18, 2007. GSO will provide shuttle service beginning at 4:00 P.M. for anyone wishing to leave their privately owned vehicle in the covered parking of their residence. 8.(SBU) Management and GSO are buying extra supplies, e.g. 300 5 gallon water bottles, and over 1000 1/2 liter bottles have been procured and are being placed at the New Embassy Compound (NEC). GSO is also procuring fuel, chain saws, batteries, and non-perishable food for use after the storm hits. 9.(SBU) IMO is setting up computers and phones at Powell Plaza for an alternate command center, and provided internet and landlines are not impeded, post will be able to operate from both Powell Plaza and the NEC, once it is deemed safe to leave the NEC after the storm. 10.(SBU) There are a number of satellite phones at post. IMO reports two, the US Marshalls service two, Defense Attache Office (DAO) reports two, and the Peace Corps also reports two satellite phones available. 11.(SBU ACS estimates as many as 10,000 private American tourists may be present on the island, though with the storm likely to hit on the weekend, many tourists in the US will likely cancel or change their plans to come to Jamaica; so the number may be significantly less. ACS has contacted all major hotels in Montego Bay, the largest tourist destination in Jamaica, and confirmed over 3,700 American guests. ACS is dispatching two Consular Officers to the Montego Bay area early on Saturday August 18, who will link up with the area Peace Corps volunteers and provide assistance as needed. Peace Corps is providing one satellite phone for emergency communications. The Consular Section is also dispatching one Consular Officer to the Cayman Islands, a part of Embassy Kingston's Consular District. 12.(SBU) The EAC will reconvene Saturday morning, August 18, at 11:00 am for updates on the storm track and any necessary changes to the emergency action plan. JOHNSON