Deployment of contractor teams for heightened efficiency

Durrant Pate/Contributor

With the approaching severe weather system, slated to impact the island this weekend, Jamaica’s light and power company is intensifying its ongoing storm preparations.

This is being executed to better serve its customers in the event the storm hits. Currently, the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) is mobilising all staff to prepare for the storm as well as support restoration efforts in addition to deploying its contractor teams for heightened efficiency.

JPS is also moving to stock pile inventory in strategic locations to proactively respond in the event that sections of the island is marooned. In a communique to customers issued last night, JPS Senior Vice President, Customer Services Division, Ramsay McDonald advised: “You will be pleased to know, that our dedicated Client Services Team will be on call throughout this entire period to provide you with invaluable support.”

He said the company was anticipating that the more severe the system, the greater the likelihood of extended power outages, which has been the case with some of our Caribbean neighbours, while also reminding customers that once the JPS Power System is impacted, the safe and speedy restoration of your power supply will be its number one priority. However, for safety reasons, JPS teams will not be able to respond to outages while the network is being impacted by the storm.

Post storm activities

According to McDonald, “once the storm has passed and we receive the ‘all clear’ from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, JPS will activate its Restoration Protocol. This will see the first order of business being an assessment of the grid, followed by restoration of essential services, such as main water pumps, hospitals, airports, communications systems and large critical loads. JPS is strongly imploring individuals to avoid making contact with any downed power lines, regardless of expertise”.

McDonald added: “As part of your own preparation, we encourage you to assess your facilities and remove any tree that can pose a danger to your premises or the JPS power line. As always, we stand ready to respond and to serve you.”

He concluded by saying that JPS is utilising an ‘all hands on deck’ approach as it prepares for the worst, while hoping for the best.