Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals’ Principal Clinical Psychologist Jay McNeil had been on standby to deploy with Serve On’s international response team to assist in search and rescue efforts.
However, the situation on the ground has now evolved, and the team has been officially stood down.
Jay shared the following update: “While we were prepared to deploy with Serve On to support the rescue efforts in Jamaica, the situation on the ground has thankfully shifted.
"The immediate rescue needs are being met locally, and the focus is now on recovery rather than rescue. It’s reassuring to know that the country’s resilience and regional support are making a difference. We remain ready to assist whenever and wherever we are needed.”
Jay has been part of the Serve On team since 2010, when he was living in Essex and got involved. After a gruelling selection process and two years of training, he passed the final five-day test and has been an active member since.
The USAR team trains one weekend a month at their headquarters in London, to help with search and rescue missions with collapsed structures or with other natural disasters such as major floods.
Jay was previously deployed to Türkiye following the 2023 earthquake.
He spoke to the Joe McGrath Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Manchester yesterday morning, and you can listen back here from 1:07:02-1:13:15. Jay was also featured in the Lancashire Post.
If anyone is inspired to get involved and join Serve On, their recruitment email is interest@serveon.org.uk
