JUTC on standby for Tomas emergency rescue operations

The Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) is on standby to work with various agencies to assist with rescue operations as the island braces for heavy rains and sea surges from a threatening tropical depression, downgraded from Tropical Storm Tomas.

Reginald Allen, JUTC director of communications, said part of the company's emergency response plans was to work with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the National Works Agency (NWA) to assist affected persons.

"We are working with ODPEM and NWA to address special needs that may arise, and at the same time realign the system to keep the service going throughout the period," he said.

In the meantime, telecommunications giant Digicel has noted that it is also on high alert.

According to Donovan Betancourt, Digicel's facilities manager, the company has put its hurricane contingency plan into high gear.

He said Digicel's crisis manage-ment team would continue to track the storm and identify any areas of the telecommunications company which might become vulnerable to the weather system.

"To ensure the resilience of the network, we have put the relevant backup systems in place. We have implemented our disaster contingency plan and we have a core team in place, consisting of senior management, customer-care agents and technical staff, to ensure Digicel continues to provide service to its customers," said Betancourt.

"We urge everyone to take precautionary steps to protect their lives and property and prepare themselves for the oncoming system," Betancourt further disclosed.