City Hall’s survey for disables Belama residents, an SJC success

A survey was conducted this morning in Belize City to identify residents who require help during disasters. The pilot phase of the project was in the Belama area where the City Emergency Management Organization began to collect information for its database with the support of students from St John’s College, who did the house to house campaign. News Five’s Delahnie Bain reports.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

The City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) launched its pilot risk assessment survey today to find residents who may have special needs in times of disaster.  The pilot is being carried out in Belama where the police substation is being used as a hub.

Philip Willoughby, Councilor Responsible for CEMO

“Right here this is the incident command center which is one of the brain piece that the risk assessment survey is taking place from. We have all our IT personnel and logistics happening from here and another location down the street at the church for Belama Phase Four. Today we have the actual execution of the pilot assessment survey, the risk assessment survey and that is being conducted through SJC High School because today is their Saint John’s Birchman Day and they are giving back to the community because of Mr. Birchman. But them giving back is assisting the city preparing for disasters and we’re preparing by building this database which will give us the capacity and the capability to deal with persons with disabilities as well as other needs.”

About one hundred and forty students from Saint John’s College volunteered for the project and are being supervised by twenty-five City Council employees.

Philip Willoughby

Philip Willoughby

“They will be interviewing the households; each respective household where the residents are at or if not they will leave a flyer to give back to us, a call and then we will respond and follow up based on those calls that we would get.”

Delahnie Bain

“So how long is this process expected to take?”

Philip Willoughby

“Hopefully until we conclude the Belama Phase Three and Four areas and remember this is just a pilot exercise as we gear up and prepare to roll out for the wider Belize City area and then from here we will do a swat analysis to see our strengths and weaknesses and how we move forward as we roll out.”

Delahnie Bain

“So for now you’re just doing Belama.”

Philip Willoughby

“Yes and limited to only SJC students. But we have gotten, as I’ve said in the past, additional support from all the other high schools to participate in the exercise. But again, this is just the pilot exercise at this time.”

When the project is officially rolled out, other high schools will be assigned to survey different zones. Delahnie Bain for News Five.