The 2015 National Hurricane Conference gets on the way on Monday (Mar. 30, 2015) in Austin, Texas and attending from Dominica is Former National Disaster Risk Management Coordinator, Cecil Shillingford.
A the conference he is expected to make a presentation on “Youth as a Valuable Resource in Disaster Risk Management in the Caribbean”.
Shillingford will also moderate a session at the conference in which two Caribbean Youth will present on “A youth Perspective: Preparing our Communities”.
The primary goal of the annual Hurricane Conference is to improve hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation in order to save lives and property in the United States and the Tropical Islands of the Caribbean and Pacific.
To accomplish this goal, the annual conference emphasizes lessons learned from hurricane strikes, state of the art programs worthy of emulation, new ideas being tested or considered, information about new or ongoing assistance programs and the ABC’s of hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation – in recognition of the fact that there is a continual turnover of emergency management leadership and staff.
Shillingford has indicated that his other interests in the Conference this year will be on Business Continuity and the Role of Business in Disaster Risk Management and a visit to the just completed State of the Art Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Austin, Texas.
He said that he would like to see and help facilitate a more meaningful role in Disaster Risk Management in Dominica and the Caribbean Region for the Private Sector and hopes that Governments build and adequately resource Emergency Operation Centers (EOC’s) in the region.
One of the highlights of this conference every year is the release of the Predictions for the coming Hurricane Season by Drs. William Gray and Phillip Klotzbach of the Colorado State University. They will present the ”Atlantic Basin Seasonal Hurricane Prediction and the Outlook for the 2015 Hurricane Season”.
Joe…did anyone say he is representing Dominica or the Government. It said he is attending from Dominica. Isnt he free to attend or participate in any fora relating to his profession. What the government needs to do is send people to important meetings like these not just the tripsing ones…the gentleman has his connections and he is asked to attend the meeting and make presentations. Since you seem to know what should be done maybe you can represent Steve and Corriette.
The dreaded season is quickly approaching and businesses as well as individuals should take the necessary steps to ensure their safety. PSA and other national initiatives should be done to sensitize people. For those under the NEP who are currently out of a job, use them to do research and develop plans for certain communities. The NDFD is hosting a training on Business Continuity After a Natural Disaster. I think that would be a good training for business persons to attend. Let’s all pray and hope for a easy season.
Wow! Excellent. Mr Shillingford has something to offer. Not sure his expertise is sufficiently utilized
I just cannot understand how is Cecil that is representing Dominica when he has retired from the Public service almost 10 years now??
These guys know how to network we boy, I mean we have competent people like Steve Joseph at the Disaster office i would think that he or Corriette or any other employee would have had that opportunity but NOOOO it must be Cecil every year without end!!!!!!!!! SMDFH!!!! He not representing Dominica he representing himself, his own interest, our Government didn’t send him anywhere!!!
Consultants good we boy!!!!!
Well since your Government did send him , then he went on his own pocket, therefore YOUR Government should send the competent people as you say. Why didn’t they go? For your information as Disaster Risk Management Specialist Consultant working for USAID/ OFDA and in charge of Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua re Capacity Building. Well how competent is that.
If the Former Coordinator is in attendance, Why can’t the present be invited to attend? Who decides?
Great…..the Former is a free agent and can do as he pleases. No one decides for him. I am not sure who decides for the present….
Sounds like useful information. Lets utilize the information to make our country and the region a little safer during the hurricane season.