PORTLAND, Jamaica – A high-intensity disaster simulation unfolded at Ken Jones Aerodrome in Portland on Thursday, challenging Jamaica’s readiness to manage a massive airline accident and treat a large number of survivors. The exercise placed emergency responders under pressure to locate passengers, provide critical care, and ensure orderly coordination among government agencies and international partners.
Comprehensive Test of Response Systems
The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) organized the drill in partnership with the Ministry of Health & Wellness. It served as the culminating event of Exercise Event Horizon 2025, a multinational program designed to strengthen disaster-response capabilities. During the simulation, an airplane carrying 150 passengers “crashed,” prompting full-scale rescue operations on land, at sea, and in the air.
Acting Commanding Officer of the JDF Air Wing, Major Noel Lewis, who also spearheaded the Search and Rescue segment, commended the success of the exercise. “We created a highly challenging environment for local authorities, ensuring that each component of our mass casualty procedures was put into practice,” he said. “From aerial surveillance and water rescue to triage and medical transfers, the drill forced our responders to coordinate in real time while facing numerous unexpected challenges.”
Multinational and Multi-Agency Cooperation
Essential government bodies such as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), and the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) collaborated closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) during the operation. International allies including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Costa Rican Air Vigilance Service also lent their expertise and equipment. Costa Rica’s aircraft provided aerial command and oversight, while Bahamian drone operators helped maintain situational awareness and track survivors in the water.
Rapid Medical Deployment
Within minutes, a full medical station rose at the crash site to assess, stabilize, and evacuate mock “casualties.” Ambulances and helicopters transported individuals with varied injuries, some requiring wheelchairs or stretchers. According to Director for Emergency Disaster Management and Special Services in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, Nicole Dawkins Wright, the simulation put the nation’s comprehensive Mass Rescue Operations Plan to the test.
“This drill allowed us to confirm the effectiveness of our emergency systems, such as the field medical post setup and the mass casualty transfer process,” she said. “It also gave us a chance to pinpoint areas where we can fine-tune our logistics, enhance training, and strengthen our incident command structure.”
Refining Best Practices
Major Lewis agreed that while the mock accident illustrated Jamaica’s growing proficiency in handling critical situations, it also exposed gaps to be addressed. “These insights will guide us in refining protocols and ensuring that we’re thoroughly prepared,” he noted. “We’re committed to ongoing improvement so that all agencies—local and international—can operate seamlessly when actual emergencies arise.”
Thursday’s drill highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration among the government, security forces, emergency personnel, and foreign partners. As Jamaica moves forward, the lessons learned from this large-scale simulation will be used to strengthen disaster readiness and keep residents and visitors safe in any real-life crisis.
