Dominica has told weather officials from the Caribbean to put advance warnings high on their agenda in efforts to lessen impacts of natural disasters in the region.
12 Caribbean countries are participating in the 51st meeting of Caribbean Meterological Council, being held at Fort Young Hotel.
Minister for Ports, Energy and Public Works Rayburn Blackmoore told the meeting, “advance warning and instructions are so critical to mitigating against the possibility of damage that may emerge from natural disasters.”
He told the weather experts they must make instructions clear enough for the public to understand as their work will determine the Caribbean’s preparedness during disasters. “All of you here must be saluted as great Caribbean people because the work that you do will determine our level of preparedness. I hope we can give the reading a more practical spin so that the people on the street can understand what you are saying,” he stated.
He added, “As fellow policy makers, it seems to me therefore, from the ministerial levels, we are obligated to give the requisite policy direction to the persons operating from the level. We have to ensure that we provide direction that give rise to the formulation of the appropriate frameworks and networks that will be able to provide advance warning and instruction to the populace.”
According to Blackmoore, the work that is conducted at the meeting will determine how prepared a country is for weather related disasters.
I respect Blackmore but, we need to have that start at home. Dying the disaster is us alone that helping ourselves. So, we need advance technology to inform people of exactly what kind of weather is on the way, and we need it right here in Dominica. Not dependant on any other country for forecasting. All that water and rain and washing away of vehicles could have been avoided if we knew precisely what was coming. The other problem is making people listen to the warnings. Campaigns have improved on that front but loads more need to be done because Dominicans take disasters for play time, till they really see it unfold, and by then, most are caught outside in the middle of it all. And finally, our emergency services and response times have to be full prepared and equipped. Now Dominica is a place where everyone help each other so the later point should no be much of an issue. Training on the response times and procedures for the professionals need to be a early routine and not just through the hurricane season. Thank you
Oh and I forgot. We have the most volcanos in the Caribbean, probably the hemisphere. Yet, we have neve practiced drills in case of eruptions, and yet, most of our towns are built in the paths of lava flow, especially Roseau. And with the danger if drilling for electricity, I think this should be right at he top of the agenda
can the average man on the street understand his instructions to the weather-heads?
what absolute BS
Could Mr Blackmore heed his own advice? The ramble which is reported as his advice may have left many attendees at this meeting wondering what he was saying.
Mr Blackmore there is no need for inappropriate placement of words to sound intelligent. Communication has a single purpose, that is, that whom ever you communicate with, should be able to understand, so that they could bring about the change that you seek. The statement above which has been attributed to you therefore fails as a communication piece.
My sentiments exactly, the man has communicated nothing, this has become the norm whenever he opens his mouth, he always wants to sound intelligent but fails miserably! .
I think satelite hit the nail on the head. But first let me shed light on something the Minister said, ” all of you here must be solicited as great Caribbean people because the work that you do will determine our level of preparedness.”
Mr Minister we cannot base preparedness on the information received from forecasters and weather people, but rather we have to ensure that the level of preparedness on the island takes into account the most likely probable disasters that may affect Dominica ( worst case scenarios for flood, hurricane, earthquakes, land slides and yes state terrorism).
I agree with you Mr Blackmore, your intentions and hopes are genuine. What about the other side of the coin? as much as clear advance warnings are certainly required, what is the level of preparedness that exists in the respective countries. That is certainly an issue for the Head of Caricom to look into.
Yes we may have advance warnings,ok; but are the respective institutions, departments, and communities prepared in terms of heavy equipments, emergency vehicles, medical supplies, evacuations and evacuations procedures, shelters, dry foods, possibly foreign assistance etc to name a few. Its not a one side thing when it comes to natural disasters, cause the most important thing after is relief and how quickly it can get to the most affected areas. Your next move is to conduct a campaign to inform the populace of the things needed and obtain a feedback to determine how prepared your people are. With a prompt feedback, it gives you time to prepare, organise and to put in place what is required.