Everyone Should Prepare

Published 14th December, 10:20am

As residents observe the Cayman Islands' second National Earthquake Awareness Day today (Friday, 14 November), the country's disaster preparedness agency, Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), emphasizes personal readiness for unexpected calamities.

Cayman residents are well versed in hurricane preparedness, but year-round emergency plans for crises like earthquakes are still lagging, says HMCI Director Dr Barbara Carby.

"Disaster preparedness should be a way of life, because life-changing events often do not come with three-to five-day warnings, as with hurricanes," Dr Carby explains. And it is not only major disasters that wreak havoc with lives - families can be devastated by relatively small-scale events, such as house fires, she adds.

For this very reason, HMCI will roll out a public awareness campaign on general preparedness that will span the entire year - and a number of potential disasters.

"We want all families, but also schools, local businesses and organizations, to have action plans to respond to different kind of disasters. Readiness doesn't prevent disasters, but it certainly limits the negative effects on life and property," Dr Carby notes.

On a national level, and specific to earthquakes, Cayman does subscribe to strict building codes, and the Lands and Survey Department are continuing work towards the installation of seismic equipment, for monitoring and detection of the earth's movement.

However, said Dr Carby, just like charity, the best disaster mitigation starts at home.

For further information contact: Cornelia Oliver