Gov't criticised for decision to shift ODPEM

 

Two leading experts have slammed the government's decision to place the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) under the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), warning that the move could erode the agency's independence.

 

Disaster mitigation specialist Dr. Barbara Carby and social development specialist Dr. Peta-Anne Baker are concerned that the realignment of ODPEM into the OPM could blur the lines between the political leadership and operational decision making at a time when the nation is still reeling from Hurricane Melissa. 

 

Their concerns follow Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness's announcement of changes to the configuration of ODPEM and the appointment of Jamaica Defence Force Commander Alvin Gayle as Director General of the ODPEM, replacing Richard Thompson, who had been acting in the role. Mr. Thompson will now assist with building strategic frameworks for national recovery efforts.

 

Speaking Thursday at a media briefing held at Jamaica House, Prime Minister Holness declared that the changes to ODPEM are due to the disaster agency's capacity and visibility being diminished in recent years. 

 

Dr. Holness cited the slow progress in completing the agency's compensation review, which has affected its ability to attract and retain senior executives. 

 

Despite these operational weaknesses, Dr. Holness said the preparation for Hurricane Melissa went well, but the initial relief phase started out slowly. 

 

"We have had several disasters before and, you know, so if you were to say how would you judge ODPEM in preparation, in standing up the preparation for disasters, I think you would say that the preparation for disasters went well. So even with not having necessarily the strongest executive leadership, we were still able to mount a credible preparation," he asserted.

 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister noted that the realignment of ODPEM into the OPM is intended to create a single point for emergency logistics and strengthen coordination with relief partners. 

 

But disaster mitigation specialist and former ODPEM head Dr. Barbara Carby said the Prime Minister's explanation does not make operational sense, noting that Jamaica already has a single coordination point, the National Emergency Coordination Centre, which integrates both policy and operational functions.

 

"The person in charge of the National Emergency Operation Centre is the person in charge of all the decision-making related to operations, right? They should have full authority and you should be able to correct everybody if that person or that entity is doing something wrong or not advisable in terms of emergency management doctrine. Now, one has to wonder whether or not, with the Prime Minister leading the charge, there will be courage enough to actually speak up. Political decisions must not come into emergency operations. So that is another risk that you run when you start mixing up policy/political and operations," she pointed out. 

 

In the meantime, social development specialist Dr. Peta-Anne Baker also voiced strong criticism of the government's handling of the situation.

 

She said public servants at ODPEM have been unfairly made scapegoats for systemic failures. 

 

Dr. Baker expressed disappointment that despite Jamaica's high vulnerability to natural disasters, there has been no urgency in resolving longstanding issues such as inadequate pay scales and outdated job descriptions at the agency.

 

She described the public criticism of ODPEM staff as deeply unfair, saying it disrespects dedicated civil servants who have long served the country. 

 

"It really does not sit well. And I think that ODPEM and the executive leadership of the organisation are being hung out to dry to try and pave over the cracks in our disaster, not just preparedness now, but response system."

 

A December 2024 performance audit by the Auditor General's Department found that chronic recruitment challenges and high staff turnover have severely affected ODPEM's ability to manage disaster preparedness and response.

 

Both specialists argue that addressing these systemic weaknesses rather than realigning the agency under the prime minister's office should be the government's priority.

 

Dr. Carby said she was also surprised by the leadership shakeup at the beginning of the disaster response.

 

"Because surely you would want someone who has Mr. Thompson's experience over many years of emergency management to be involved in the response. So that was my first reaction. The JDF has always assisted with relief operations. It doesn't take the head of ODPEM to be a JDF soldier or airman or sailor for their to be close cooperation between ODPEM and the JDF; that has always existed. So I'm really not sure what these reasons are supposed to do. They're not convincing, in other words. And to me, neither are they logical," she complained. 

 

Dr. Carby and Dr. Baker were both speaking Thursday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines.