Communications Critical

The most popular means of communicating in Barbados today is by the telephone and more particularly mobile phones. Communications are important when there is a disaster and the two-way radio is still the equipment of choice.

The DEOs in St. Philip recently concluded training with radios under the instruction of Glyne Alleyne and Randy Chandler. Randy Chandler is a member of both the the Barbados Citizens' Band Radio Association and Barbados and the Amateur Radio Society of Barbados.

The Group discussed the One of the most important features of communication is transmitting and receiving information accurately. As you can imagine in an emergency situation incorrect messages can have dire consequences. One of the most important points that was made was that participants should not abuse the use of radios.

During the session members learnt the use of the radios, international terminology and how to send and receive messages.

Sanitation

Sanitation is something that we neither like to think about or talk about too much. In the aftermath of a hurricane however it does not take too long before you become uncomfortable if you do not have access to water for performing your bodily functions. So please give some thought to this before a hurricane strikes. Some of the items that you will surely need to make sure that you have on hand are:

• Toilet Paper


• Towelettes


• Soap, liquid detergent


• Feminine supplies


• Personal hygiene items (tootpaste etc.)


• Plastic garbage bags (for personal sanitation)


• Plastic bucket with tight lid


• Disinfectant


• Household chorine bleach

Securing your important documents

This would be a good time to make sure that you have secured all of your important documents. These documents should be placed in a waterproof portable container:

• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, share certificates



• Passports, immunization records



• Bank account numbers



• Credit card account numbers and companies



• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

You should also make an inventory of valuable houshold items and important telephone numbers.

Your First Aid Kit

There are many suggestions out there for First Aid Kits. Our main purpose here is to alert you to the fact that you should be putting one together for you and your family.

If you already have one, now is the time to review it in order to review its contents. Ensure that used or expired items have been replaced. Here are some of the items that you might wish to include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• Sunscreen
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Non-prescription drugs (pain reliever, anti-diarrhrea medication, antacid, laxative)
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tube of petroleum jelly

In the Aftermath

Determining your priorities in the aftermath of a hurricane depends very much on your particular circumstances.

However if you and your neighbours are in no immediate danger it would be wise to keep calm and make a plan as to what your next steps should be.

If you are a member of a DEO there should be a plan that would indicate precisely what steps should be taken by members to provide assistance to your community. As long as a hurricane has an effect on Barbados it will be necessary to make an assessment of the distress of individuals within the community.

Here are a few tips to assist all of you in your planning for your family and neighbours:

1. Seek medical attention for any persons that have been injured.
2. Do not touch loose or dangling wires.
3. Report damage to powerlines, water lines or sewers immediately.
4. Do not make yourself a nuisance by insisting that utilities be returned to your area immediately, bearing in mind that there are certain essential services that have to be addressed first and that the men and women that would have to come out to work have family and neighbours just like you, who might be in need of help.
5. Guard against using spoiled food if the electricity supply fails.
6. Drive cautiously - debris filled streets are dangerous. Soil may be washed from beneath pavements, which might collapse under the weight of vehicles.

Keeping Safe During the Hurricane

During a hurricane is no time for site seeing and you should not expect anyone else to be out during the hurricane either. This is why it is important to be prepared well in advance of the strike of the hurricane:

1. Do not leave your house or shelter.


2. If the eye or vortex of the hurricane is passing directly over your area, there will be a brief lull in the winds which can last from several minutes to 1/2 an hour or more. Remain in a safe place during this lull. The wind will return suddely from the opposite side with greater force.


3. Your telephone usage should be reduced to a minimum, preferably only in cases of absolute necessity. You do not wish to be the victim of an electrical surge.

Getting Prepared

You have a responsibility to keep your family safe - both your immediate and extended family. Therefore you should make sure that you have a plan!

1. Do not pay attention to rumour. Stay tuned to your radio and listen to the bulletins.


2. Stay away from beaches and other low areas which can be swept away by the sea and the hurricane tides.


3. If your house is out of danger from tidal waves, that is the best place to stay during a hurricane. On the other hand be prepared to move to the shelter designated in your area.


4. If you are going to a shelter make sure that you have enough with you to sustain you for the duration without being excessive. Do not expect the shelter to provide anything for you.


5. Fasten and secure doors and windows at your home, especially outside using good wood or hurricane shutters.


6. Put away all objects that can be blown away by the wind, such as furniture, flower pots and garbage cans since they can become missiles during the course of a hurricane.


7. Clean your yard.


8. Stock up with food stuff which does not need to be cooked - enough for not less than three days. If there are small children make sure that there is milk to last for a similar period of time.


9. Keep a supply of drinking water.


10. Get a first aid kit, lanterns or gas lamps, batteries for radio and torches.


11. You should make sure that you have adequate medication for the members of your family that require this.


12. Have a small amount of cash with you since the Banks might not be accessible for a number of days.


13. If you or any other member of your family is ill, get in touch with medical authority away before going to a shelter.


14. Make sure that any important docuements are secured in a waterproof container.


15. Keep a full tank of gasoleine in your car.


16. Avoid taking alchoholic drinks.

Eye on the Weather

by Rob Lightbown

Tropical Weather Discussion - Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Surface weather analysis this morning showed an area of low pressure now emerging off of the coast of Africa into the far eastern Atlantic. This is the system I wrote so much of yesterday. All indications are, both from real-time data and model data, that this area of low pressure will develop into a tropical depression by Wednesday or Thursday, if not before then. Infared satellite imagery showed a burst of deep convection and is exhibiting a well-defined cyclonic circulation. Wind shear analysis and sea surface temperatures both indicate that the environment is favorable for further development of this tropical system and I do think this disturbance will be classified as a tropical depression by Wednesday or Thursday, if not before then.
All of the computer forecast guidance is showing that this system will develop over the coming days. In addition, the track models and the intensity models are showing that this system will remain in the eastern Atlantic over the next 5 days and that the system may steadily intensify over the next 5 days. After that, the global models, like the GFS and European model forecast a track well north of Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Model forecasts more than 5 days out should be taken with a grain of salt, so the track of this system will be watched very closely.
Ok, here are my thoughts on this system: As I have already mentioned, I do think that this system near the coast of Africa will be classified as a tropical depression by Wednesday or Thursday, if not before then. I also think it will remain on a general west to west-northwest course over the next couple of days. After that, the general course of this area of low pressure depends on its strength: This morning's steering product showed two possible scenarios. One is that if this system stays weak, a more westward path can be expected. Scenario two is that if it develops and strengthens like the models are saying, then it will move more northwestward and move well north of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles. So, needless to say I will be monitoring this system very closely over the coming days and I will keep you all updated on the latest information regarding it.

The Risk of Your Beautiful Seaside Home

A storm surge is just what it sounds like: water that is pushed towards the shore by the force of the winds swirliing around a cyclone (hurricane, storm). Storm surge can climb above 18ft in a matter of minutes, travel far inland and flood vast areas of low lying land.

If your property is close to the coast and you have a nice bathing beach with a gently sloping shore and swimming water that is not deep or does not drop off suddenly, then chances are you could be affected by storm surge. Find out if there is a storm surge planning map for your area and talk to the older folk about how far the sea normally travels in times of hurricane.

You should take action to mitigate your risk and loss:

• Before constructing your property near the coast consult on the vulnerability and risk of the particular area to storm surge and the frequency of the event.


• If your area is susceptible, consult with an engineer about what type of constructon would be needed to withstand the worse case scenario.


• The choice is then with you - either take the risk or spend additional money up front on construction to withstand hing waves.


• If it is available buy storm surge insurance.


• If you are in a storm surge zone then evacuate well ahead of the approach of a storm or hurricane.

As always be prepared! http://www.cdera.org/

What to do in an Earthquake

Except for pictures on the News Barbadians have lived unaffected by Earthquakes. When Barbados experienced a tremor late last year most people did not understand what was happening. Earthquakes are caused by the movement of plates (huge slabs of rock) making up the surface of the Earth. In volcanic islands, earthquakes may also be caused by the movement of magma beneath a volcano.

The Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies has issued some personal safety guidelines which we should pay attention to now in case we are caught ib another such event whether inside or outside Barbados:

• stay calm, do not panic, be alert
• if inside stay inside, do not run out of the building
• if inside stand in a strong doorway or get under a sturdy desk, table or bed and hold on
• do not use elevators or stairs
• move away from windows, mirrors, glass doors, pictures, bookcases, hanging plants and heavy objects
• if outside and there are no obvious signs of danger nearby, stay there
• if outside, stay away from glass buildings, electricity poles and bridges
• if in a car do not stop on or under a bridge
• always look out for falling plaster, bricks, lighting fixtures and other objects

For more information on earthquakes contact http://www.uwiseismic.com/

Light Search and Rescue

The St. Philip DEOs continued their training at the Princess Margaret School. This evening Mr. Carlos Bishop from the Barbados Fire Service conducted the session. He was one of the first fire officers to enter the site at Arch Cot in Barbados rescue and recovery effort. Mr. Bishop had a great deal of practical and technical assistance. The class room was full and members particpated enthusiastically in the session.

In addition to taking in the lecture members were called upon to say how they would approach a particular disaster scenario presented to them. The class was broken into two groups. This showed the ability of those present to work as a team since there was a very limited time in which to assess the situation and determine the stepas that should be taken in such a situation.

In addition three methods were shown in getting a victim out of a dangerous situation. These included lifting, dragging and the use of a stretcher.

Snail Infestation Serious Concern

It was recently announced that the Giant African Snail has infiltrated every parish in Barbados. The Ministry of Agriculture with its very dedicated officers came out on Friday June 20th 2008 to assist the members of the St. Philip West DEO in their quest to turn back the unfestation of the Snail in the area.

These very dedicated men and women braved the cold and the wind to assist in the eradication of snails in the Harlington and Mangrove areas. They were outfitted with rain gear, boots and gloves.

As the effort started the first thing that the members noticed was the large number of snail shells in the area. This was good news as it meant that the baiting that the Ministry and the DEO had done earlier in the year has paid off. There were however also many live snails that were found and burnt. These efforts would be more effective if the DEO could get more members of the public involved in the baiting exercise.

Frankie Weeks from the Department of Emergency Management took some time to come to St. Philip to witness the effort. Let's get some greater community effort next time.

St. Philip West DEO in the Field

According to its President Ian Smitten, the St. Philip West DEO has been getting out into the field to work amongst the members of the Community. There are three projects that are currently engaging the DEO (i) eradicating the Giant African Snail or at least retarding its spread in the St. Philip/Christ Church Area (ii) identifying and marking fire hydrants (iii) identifying flood prone areas. All of these activities have been engaging the members to go out into the field and interact with the residents of St. Philip West.

But is St. Philip West fully prepared? Mr. Smitten indicated that there is a lot of work to be done. However he believes that they are better prepared than in previous years. Some members of the DEO have had experience now with both the Arch Cot and Joe's River tragedies. There have also been some local incidents such as a fallen tree is Packers, Christ Church that was dealt with by the St. Philip West DEO.

St. Philip DEOs Receive Training

The DEOs in the parish of St. Philip are beefing up their training in time for the hurricane season. The training sessions are held at the Princess Margaret School at Six Roads in St. Philip.

The first module was Disaster Preparedness that was presented by Clive Lorde. The second was Fire Safety and Suppression presented by Marlon Small and Fernando McAllister. On Saturday June 14, 2008 the group had an indepth look at Disaster Medical Operations. The instructor for this session was Wayne Payne.

There are several other modules that are on the cards. These include Light Search and Rescue, Incident Command and Team Organisation, Disaster & Emergency Communiation and a Disaster Simulation Exercise. This is a pilot project and it is expected that these sessions will be extended to the DEOS across the island.