The devastation in Florida caused by Hurricane Charley over the weekend has underscored the need for Bahamians to take disaster preparedness seriously, according to local authorities.
David Cates, deputy permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office, who is also a member of the Disaster Preparedness Committee, on Monday emphasized the importance of Bahamians always being in a state of readiness for national disasters.
ﾓThe challenge of the committee is to keep the public aware of potential disasters,ﾒ Mr. Cates said.
ﾓAlthough itﾴs hurricane season, the committeeﾴs main focus is not only to prepare the public for hurricane disasters, but our concerns are also extended to different forms of disasters such as fire, oil spills, shipping and aircraft. The people have to remain aware of the potential disasters surrounding us.ﾒ
The Disaster Preparedness Committee is prepared to assist with a hurricane by providing a 24-hour emergency centre that monitors the progress of the storm, updating persons in the surrounding area of the storm and providing a list of shelters in the event of an evacuation, according to Mr. Cates.
When asked whether The Bahamas would have been prepared for Hurricane Charley if it had come our way, Mr. Cates said that was a difficult question to answer.
He added that the committee could only make the public aware of the potential disaster and encourage residents here to take warnings issued by the Department of Meteorology seriously.
When a hurricane poses a threat to The Bahamas, forecasters issue a hurricane alert 60 hours before the storm is expected to make landfall. A hurricane watch goes in effect 30 hours prior to the storm and if the storm progresses, a 24-hour warning is issued. ﾠﾠﾠ
ﾓWe encourage persons to take the meteorology department warnings seriously because if they donﾴt take them seriously and donﾴt put up shutters or donﾴt make preparations, then the damage to the house and property or even their lives could be quite substantial,ﾒ Mr. Cates said. ﾓOur big thing is to urge the public to take the precaution but itﾴs up to the public to take the threat seriously.ﾒ
The Red Cross Society also remains on alert during this hurricane season.
Director General of the Red Cross Marina Glinton, who is a member of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), (as is Mr. Cates) said although the Red Cross has disaster supplies on hand, if a major disaster were to take place, the organization would have to lean on the public for assistance.
ﾓThe Red Crossﾴs role is to assist with providing first aid at the shelters and also to assist
the government with releasing supplies to the victim,ﾒ Mrs. Glinton said. ﾓThis depends on the support of the public.ﾒ
The Disaster Preparedness Committee is made up of a group of individuals who come from organizations like the Bahamas Electricity Corporation; the Bahamas Telecommunications Company: the Red Cross; The Salvation Army; Airport Authority; and the ministries of transport, agriculture and works.
Members of the committee meet once a month to discuss ways in which they can help keep the public informed about disasters and to encourage preparedness.
National Disaster tips to keep in mind when a hurricane is approaching are: Closely monitor radio and televisions for meteorological warnings and the stormﾴs progress; full vehicles with gas; have batteries for radios and flashlights; store outdoor furniture and equipment; if an evacuation is necessary, tell friends and family of your whereabouts and as the storm approaches, follow instructions from the meteorology department.
Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
