Media members discuss their role in disaster preparedness
Representatives of both print and broadcast media converged on the National Fire Service Headquarters in Belize City this morning, but the occasion was not to report on a disaster. Instead it was for a half day seminar aimed at forging a closer working relationship between the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO and the media in getting relevant information out to the public when there is a disaster, or even when there is only a threat. The seminar also gave journalists an opportunity to discuss among themselves the possibility of collaborating, if not human resources, technical expertise in a disaster situation, so that the national interest of the country is best served. A facilitator of the seminar was Stephen Louis from the Barbados based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency, who briefed participants on the role that CDERA plays in providing disaster assistance to the region.
Stephen Louis, Information Systems Manager, CDERA
“In the case of any of our participating states, assistance would be forth coming when the country has indicated what it requires because of a disaster. In the specific case of Belize, if assistance from the Caribbean is required, it most likely would come initially through Jamaica, which is what we call the sub-regional focal point for this part of the region. The type of assistance will depend on the nature of the disaster and what the country has requested. But basically we would be involved in mobilizing personnel and relief supplies as well as certain types of technical assistance, again depending on the type of situation.”
Q: “Based on the discussion you heard among the different media in Belize, do you think we are prepared, in the event of a disaster, to adequately get relevant information to the people?”
Stephen Louis
“Well, based on the discussion I heard, there are some concerns as to whether the media can continue to function effectively and reach all the people in the event it is impacted by a disaster. I think, however, that the discussion was encouraging in that members of the media seem to recognize this and seem to be willing to do something about it, which again is a good step. So, I think there is definitely some work to be done and we are looking forward to the media collaborating with the national organization in resolving any difficulties that exist.”
Today’s media seminar was part of Exercise Tradewinds ’98, a month-long exercise, which is testing the readiness of regional security forces, including the B.D.F. to respond to any potential disaster. In this regard, the Belize National Emergency Management Organization will over the next few days, be staging a number of simulated disasters all over the country. These include emergency evacuations and accidents both on land and at sea. NEMO would like to remind the public that these exercises which will be properly publicized are only tests and should be no cause for alarm for residents in the areas where the event will be happening between now and next Monday.
