Commander Alvin Gayle has been seconded from the Jamaica Defence Force and appointed to serve as Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement that, effective immediately, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management will be brought under the Office of the Prime Minister to strengthen national coordination and improve logistical support for recovery efforts.

Commander Gayle is a seasoned military officer with over two decades of service in the Jamaica Defence Force, where he has held key leadership roles, including Executive Officer at the Maritime Air and Cyber Command, Commanding Officer of the First District Coast Guard, and Commandant of the Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre. He brings extensive experience in operational planning, crisis management, maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention, and risk management. His training also includes Maritime Disaster Prevention, Industrial Firefighting and Crew Endurance and Risk Management, equipping him with the skills to manage complex emergency operations and build national resilience.

Commander Gayle holds a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Arts in Defence and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. His background in operational planning and coordination positions him to lead the ODPEM at a pivotal moment in the national response effort.

Mr. Richard Thompson will now support the Office of the Prime Minister in the establishment of strategic frameworks and systems that will help guide Jamaica’s recovery programme. This as the Government advances recovery operations and continues to provide urgent relief to our citizens affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The Office of the Prime Minister remains committed to ensuring a strong, coordinated, and accelerated national recovery. This includes strengthening institutional leadership, enhancing cooperation, and ensuring that Jamaica’s disaster readiness and response systems are equipped to meet the demands of this time.