Celia Hinds (left), director and freight services manager at Transocean Shipping Limited and Stacey Miller, human resource and administrative manager of the same company, show keen attention during the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management seminar held at the Shipping Association of Jamaica's auditorium, Newport West.

With an anticipated 15 named storms forecast for the Atlantic hurricane season, the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) last Thursday hosted a one-day Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Seminar to educate its members on disaster preparedness.

Held at the SAJ's auditorium located at the association's Business Centre, Fourth Avenue, Newport West, the seminar focused on natural and man-made disasters, what to do before, during and after.

"Caribbean countries, because of their geographic location, are more vulnerable to natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. Within the last five years, Jamaica has experienced several hurricanes and floods and in view of this, facilitating this seminar was a proactive step to ensure that our members are prepared and knowledgeable on how to manage any disaster that may strike, Stacy-Ann Barnes, research, projects and communications officer at the SAJ said.

She added: "The workshop was successful as the goal of informing and providing the most up-to-date information about how to prepare for, and manage a disaster was well received by the participants. The positive feedback from the participants about what they learnt and how they intended to implement this knowledge are indications that the workshop was a success."

Workshop presenters

Presenters at the workshop were Camille Beckford, training officer at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Audrey Mullings, disaster risk management specialist, Latin America and the Caribbean International Resource Group for USAID/OFDA Latin America and the Caribbean Programme and Captain John Ulett, managing director, Security Administrators Limited (SAL).

Beckford spoke to preparations before and during a disaster and stressed the importance of developing a family and business disaster plan including an evacuation plan and warning signals. Identifying risks, Beckford noted, was of extreme importance and as such, businesses should do a vulnerability assessment and move to reduce damage from disasters.

Education, training and creating awareness about risks and prevention, Beckford stressed were key issues to address in order to be prepared.

For her part, Audrey Mullings educated members on how to pick up the pieces after a disaster. Rehabilitation and reconstruction, she noted, are the two key areas of focus. Mullings, however, stressed that in the recovery process, the pre-disaster plans are critical as they determine actions and how well the recovery takes place.

Man-made disaster

Given the heightened levels of crime in Jamaica, crime and violence can be viewed as a man-made disaster. With this in mind, Captain Ulett focussed his presentation on personal safety and security. In securing ones home, the former army man said there are basic principles to home security. "Security should deter possible intruders without making one feel like a prisoner," Captain Ulett said while pointing out the following:

While noting that the above measures are vital, Captain Ulett pointed out the importance of being good neighbours. "This can be as effective as having the protection of a police patrol."