As we enter into the 2015 Hurricane season, the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO) and the Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security urges all to make the conscious change of beginning in a state of “Awareness” to that of “Preparedness and Readiness”.
A very general and informal survey carried out by the Office of Disaster Management indicates that over 90 percent of our population is very aware of the various hazards that are likely to impact us as an island. The hazards were categorized as geo-hazards to include volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunami, and landslides; the Hydro Met Hazards to include tropical cyclones, flash floods, High winds and storm surges while the man-made hazards used were oil spills, health related issues, brush fires, vehicular accidents citing a few examples.
According to the survey the hurricane hazard by far scored the highest rating among all the hazards and for obvious reasons; it is the hazard and event that has impacted the region with the highest frequency and the one a season has been clearly defined for; we are all aware that the hurricane season runs from June to November every year. It would stand to reason then that the majority of the population on island and in the region would be in a state of preparedness and readiness for such an eventuality given that fact. The question is; are we
The ODM is very cognizant of the fact that awareness does not translate into preparedness and readiness (most people are aware of what a hurricane is but are not necessarily prepared or ready for the impact) and therefore we challenge everyone, at the individual, family, institutional, corporate, (public and private sector), community, and at the national level to truly and honestly evaluate the state of our preparedness and readiness for the season and beyond, and to commit to taking immediate action where action is needed to heighten our state of preparedness and readiness.
The ODM will continue to provide the overarching framework for facilitating and coordinating various programs geared at enhancing and ensuring preparedness and readiness to the various publics. However the responsibility and onus is on all of us as citizens of this nation to play our part in being prepared and ready for any eventuality. Preparedness and readiness is a continuous process and should not be embarked upon only during the hurricane season. It therefore has to form part of our everyday physic and to become part of our planning processes.
The ODM, with the assistance of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), continues to roll out its Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy – a strategy that calls for a paradigm shift and a new culture from the traditional way hazards are looked at and are managed. CDM focuses on a multi hazard approach and involves or embraces all stages of the disaster management cycle, that is, preparedness, planning, mitigation, readiness, alert, response and recovery. It articulates the need to shift from being reactive to that of being anticipatory and proactive – and speaks to pre-emptive action as a matter of urgency.
The reality is, disaster management, disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management, including Climate Change Adaptation and management are development issues. It has to be a development issue since it may take 30 seconds or less in terms of an earthquake (example Haiti 2010 or a couple hours in the case of a hurricane (example Hurricane Ivan in Grenada) or a slow evolving/onset impact such as a volcanic eruption (example Montserrat) to destroy the social and economic fabric of our countries.
Therefore, development without factoring these principles of CDM will be futile if not a travesty on our part. The ODM will therefore continue to advocate through its Country Work Program, and its Country Hazard Profile and other avenues including through CDM legislation to have the principles of CDM and CCA mainstreamed into the overall sustainable development strategies and plans for the island and to advocate that it be adopted as national policy. The ODM therefore calls on all to embrace this strategy and to continue to work towards building the resilience and capacity among our population.
As it relates specifically to the Hurricane season – the general public must be aware by now of the 2015 predictions and forecast published by William Gray (PhD) and associates which suggest a below average hurricane season The 2015 predictions released by Gray PhD suggest that we can expect a below average season with 7 named storms, 3 hurricanes and 1 major hurricane. Historic events however show that whatever the predictions, it only takes one tropical system to cause extreme and in some instances catastrophic damage to our island states.
We are aware of the damage done to Dominica by Hurricane David in 1979; Hurricane Gilbert to Jamaica, Hurricane George on St. Kitts; and in most recent times Hurricane Ivan on Grenada in 2010. Events such as Tropical Storm Ophelia, the 2013 December 24th Trough system, the San Sauveur and Pond Casé events (where lives were lost) are recent events we must remember that have challenged our ability to cope at the community and national levels, it is therefore incumbent on our part not to become complacent and to allow ourselves to be comforted by the false sense of security that predictions may give.
Whereas we are not at liberty or do not have the power to alter the course of hurricanes or to predict with any form of certainty what the season will bring – (we need to wait till the end of November to say what the season was) – this says to us in no uncertain terms that what we really have under our control is our preparedness and readiness!! The general public is therefore required to do all in its power in ensuring that we are in a full state of preparedness and readiness for whatever the season may unfold. The names to be used this Hurricane season are: Ana (already used), Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin,kate, Larry, Vincy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, and Wanda.
Some basic ways to be prepared include butare not limited to the following;
• Review and revise disaster/emergency plans
• Meet as family, business, institution, Public/Private Sector to speak to your readiness
• Practice against the plan – ensuring that everyone who has responsibility for the actions as stipulated by the plan is not only aware but rather know or are
PREPARED and in a state of READINESS to carry out his or her role and function as stipulated by the plan.
• Ensure that all emergency kits and medical kits are properly equipped with the necessary items and that these items are updated.
• Ensure that systems are in place for securing important documents, files and other assets necessary for business continuity and functioning.
• Ensure that buildings are secured by carrying out inspections to roofs and other structures and take remedial action where necessary.
• Schools including daycares must ensure that they have an emergency/disaster plan.
• Farmers and fisher folk to pay close attention to instructions for the protection of their livestock and equipment.
• That the most vulnerable populations among us are planned for not only at the household level but also at the institutional level and the community level.
• Ensure items that may pose a hazard and danger to life and property are properly tied down and or stored.
• Overhanging branches, trees, loose material that may become flying debris are removed.
• That debris that may impede the free flow of water in water ways are eliminated and or cleared.
• Those of us requiring shelter, please identify the shelters closes to you; establish a safe and secure evacuation route to such shelters and plan to evacuate early if needs be.
• Listen to the radio for official information including the all clear instructions
• Avoid site seeing during and post event.
The ODM, NEPO and the Ministry during the weeks and months to follow will engage in a number of public activities including radio and television programs geared at raising our preparedness and readiness not only for the hurricane season but for ALL hazards facing the island.
In the interim Please log onto the following sites for more detail information on how to prepare for the Hurricane Season : www.odm.gov.dm; www.weready.org; www.weather.gov.dm; and for up to date weather information call the weather hotline at number 1767 447 5555; please tune in to the daily weather report on radio and television as issued by the Dominica Met Services.
This reminds of the poem I learned in elementary school. Still have a good memory.
June too soon
July stand by
August, look out you must.
September remember
October all over.
We do know, from experience, this is not always so. Let us hope there will be no major hurricanes and storms in Dominica. God protect!