Nearly 7,000 participate in territory-wide tsunami exercise
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has reported that nearly seven thousand people participated in the recent territory-wide earthquake and tsunami exercise.
The annual exercise aims to enhance emergency plans, update procedures, train new personnel in tsunami preparedness and response, and ensure the territory remains ready to face a tsunami threat.
This year’s drill focused on the National Early Warning Multi-Hazard Alert System, emergency communication technology, and inter-agency communication.
Director of Disaster Management Jasen Penn expressed gratitude for the participation and support from the public service, the education sector, and the business community.
“We estimate there were 6,854 individuals who joined us to practise earthquake and tsunami safety procedures on their own, or with their families, colleagues, or schools,” Penn stated.
The director emphasised that both the private and public sectors should have comprehensive disaster plans that are tested regularly.
He also noted that the DDM team is available to provide support and advice for those developing or testing their plans.
This year’s exercise simulated a magnitude 8 earthquake occurring at 10 am. off the coast of Jamaica, followed by regional and local alerts for a subsequent tsunami.
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Having a bunch of people walk up the hills at a pre determined time does nothing. Where were the text alerts? Where were the alerts via DDM app? Where were the alerts via the DDM facebook page.
If this were a real tsunami the main issue we would face is getting the message out, keeping roads clear as people panic and try to connect to families, etc. Not whether our people can walk up a hill.
This sort of event gives a false sense of security. We need a better communications system and a DDM that can manage evolving situations.
Heard the Nanny Cay siren, but no message on my phone.
SEE HOW MANY OF THE 7000 GONNA SHOW UP
There should be an alert also at the bottom of TV screens and computers.
In the building I’m working in you can’t even hear the sirens, so for those of us with that problem, we will probably be doomed.