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.