Claudia Gardner, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Hanover's emergency first-responders say despite limited resources, the necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that the parish is able to mitigate the effects of hurricanes, should one hit the island.

According to Olga Faye Headley, Hanover Parish Council's disaster preparedness coordinator, the main problem facing her department is a lack of adequate storage space for hurricane relief supplies. As a result, she has to resort to storing items in her office at the Hanover Parish Council, which is too small.

"People are willing to donate items, but there are insufficient storage facilities. We have a container at Haughton Court, but it would need to be retro-fitted. If I could get another good container, I would be able to store the non-perishables. We need a good container," Headley reports.

She says that while shelter managers have been assigned for the more than 50 hurricane shelters in the parish, insufficient funds prevented training sessions from being conducted. She also has expressed dismay with the state of most of the parish's 17 community centres, many of which she believes cannot be used, because they are dilapidated.

Public education

Headley adds that her department has conducted a "very exhaustive" public education programme, long before the start of the hurricane season.

"We did not wait for the season to start. We have been doing drills and sessions in the schools, church groups and community groups, and we will continue the programme during the season," she discloses.

She says drain cleaning is being done by the National Works Agency and the Hanover Parish Council, but she was not sure of the details of the programme.

In the meantime, Superintendent Paul Hibbert of the Hanover Fire Department, tells The Sunday Gleaner the Lucea's firefighters are on the alert.

"We are in a mood of readiness. We cannot say we are in a perfect state, but we are in a better position compared to last year, because of the new fire unit, as it came equipped with the necessary emergency tools," Supt. Hibbert states.

"Our only concern is the accommodation, as the fire station is under refurbishment, and we are not able to move to the location at Millers Drive, as the modifications have not been done," he says. "While the fire truck has a leaking problem, it is not detrimental. No one fire unit can adequately serve a parish, but we have to make do with what we have. The only thing we really need right now are batteries," he adds.