BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - PLANS to handle and respond to a tsunami threat were placed under the microscope yesterday (Mar. 26) during a simulation exercise which formed part of the Hemispheric Tsunami Simulation Exercise.
The exercise was designed to identify any deficiencies in emergency plans with a view to crafting and solidifying more workable methods.
The office of the National Emergency Management Agency functioned as the Tsunami Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), where the coordination of responses to the threat took place.
With many stakeholders present - including Permanent Secretaries and members of the Police and Defence Forces, the Coast Guard, the Ports Authority and the Joseph N. France General Hospital - the word was given by an official that signs of a tsunami were present and it was expected to hit within a 90-minute period.
The various stakeholders were tasked with disseminating appropriate information to focal groups and initiating action in getting them to safer areas well within that time frame.
Specifics discussed were what action should be taken if one or more cruise ships are at our harbour, what plan is in place to move disabled individuals to higher ground and what route should be taken in the event that an evacuation is ordered.
As a result of the exercise, several observations and recommendations were made and, according to Disaster Management Coordinator Carl Herbert, it is expected that these would be further discussed amongst the participants and their superiors and appropriate plans set in place.
“Today was really an opportunity to discuss some of the challenges we face, to look at where we currently are, where we ought to be and some of the approaches that we need to get there. It is one of the most complex hazards to face, to address, because it has so many challenges, so many issues...
“We expect them now to go back and meet with their senior personnel to put some structure in place...Part of our expectation is to get various entities to recognise that they have to go back now and put some structure in place to address the tsunami...”
Herbert explained that the exercise is part of the Caribbean region’s thrust to better prepare itself in the event that a tsunami strikes.
He said these exercises should not be taken lightly because while tsunami threats are not as frequent as hurricanes, they are just as real but are far more complex.
The Disaster Management Coordinator said that plans are afoot to assist in preparing the island to respond to a tsunami threat.
He informed that a similar exercise took place on Nevis.
