In efforts to test the various components of Dominica’s disaster plans the Office of Disaster Management will execute an earthquake simulation exercise here.
Coordinator of the simulation, Nicholas George, told a press briefing on Thursday morning that the island must always be prepared to respond to hazards related to disasters. “Dominica is within a hazard zone and we need to be prepared to respond to hazards,” he said.
The exercise will be held “some time in December” and will simulate a 7.5 earthquake hitting Dominica.
“We are living every day with hazards we must be prepared, we must heighten awareness of disaster management,” George stressed.
He urged the media to pay special attention to their role in the management of disaster. “Ensure that you preface your reports on the simulation with ‘this is not the real thing’ and end with the same statement,” he noted.
He added that sometimes simulation exercises are taken for granted and that, he said, is unfortunate.
George explained that simulations are important since they provide training in the event of a real emergency.
The last time Dominica held a disaster simulation excercise was in 1999.
Nice work
Dec 21st
The media and all those communicating on open transmission lines should say rather ‘ this is an exercise’ as opposed to this is not the real thing.
Just my 2 cents.