BRADES, Montserrat, May 3rd 2011 - "Preparedness is the best response and the time to learn is now" was the theme of this year's disaster workshop conducted by the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) last Thursday.
The workshop was attended by heads of government departments and agencies and facilitated by Director Billy Darroux and other members of staff. It provided an opportunity to evaluate the readiness of key departments to handle a disaster.
Darroux told the gathering that it was important to think beyond hurricanes but to be ready for any eventuality. "Plans should include what we do before, during and most importantly right after a disaster," the director said.
New Governor, His Excellency Adrian Davis commended the DMCA for being the first Overseas Territory to host its 2011 disaster preparedness conference. He admonished the department representatives that communicating with the general public was vitally important to ensure that they received the pertinent information about hurricane readiness.
Following the half-day workshop, the director said participants were able to apply the more comprehensive approach to the planning - involving preparation, recovery and the concept that other disasters can happen during the season, or during a hurricane--. He added that there is more work to be done to "improve inter-agency communication especially in relation to disseminating critical information prior to events with enough lead time to make adequate preparations."
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Montserrat News