Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KINGSTON1264
2007-08-18 20:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kingston
Cable title:
JAMAICA: EMERGENCY ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING
how-toVZCZCXRO3884 PP RUEHGR DE RUEHKG #1264 2302012 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 182012Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY KINGSTON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5201 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUMIAAA/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
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
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
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