DISASTER

AWARENESS
PRESENTATION

OBJECTIVES

To increase the awareness of

individuals and organizations as it
relates to Disaster.
To assist individuals and organizations
in preparing Disaster Plans
To advise participants of the
necessary procedures to insure their
safety.
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DEFINITION OF KEY
TERMS
Disaster A natural or man-caused event which
causes intense negative impacts on people, goods
services and/or the environment, exceeding the
affected communitys capability to respond.

Disaster Management A collective term

encompassing all aspects of planning for and
responding to disasters, including both pre- and
post-disaster activities. It refers to both the risk
and consequences of a disaster.
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DEFINITION OF KEY
TERMS
Hazard The potential for a natural or man-caused
event to occur with negative consequences.

Vulnerability The extent to which a

communitys structure, services or environment is
likely to be damaged or disrupted by the impact of
a hazard.

Risk The probability that a disaster will occur

given the hazard and vulnerability.
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Hazards We Face
Natural:

Hurricane/Tropica
l Cyclone

Hazards We Face
Natural:

Landslides
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Hazards We Face
Natural:

Tsunami
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Hazards We Face
Natural:

Flooding
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Hazards We Face
Natural:

Earthquake
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Hazards We Face
Natural:

Fire
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DISASTER CYCLE

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DISASTER CYCLE
(Contds)
The Disaster Cycle is subdivided into three (3) phases and seven stages

Before

During

After

Prevention

Response

Response

Mitigation

Rehabilitation

Preparedness

Reconstructio
n

Alert

Development is tied into all stages of the Disaster Cycle.

Therefore, Disasters should be considered in all
development activities.
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The Reality of
DISASTERS

Increase frequency and intensity of

Disaster Globally.
Shrinking access to and diversion
of external assistance.
Inability of the Nation and the
Individual to recover.
Increased Vulnerability
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Nature of DISASTERS

UNFORGIVING
UNPREDICTABLE/LOW
PREDICTABILITY
IMPARTIAL
RUTHLESS
DEVASTATING
UNBEARABLE
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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Katrina New
Orleans

HURRICANE KATRINA AFTERMATH

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Katrina New
Orleans

Distraught boy sits in disbelief amidst the

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Katrina New
Orleans

Woman grieves the loss of a family

member

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Katrina New
Orleans

Badly Flooded City of New Orleans

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Closer to Home
IVAN AND DENNIS

A HOME COMPLETELY DESTROYED

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.)

ROADWAY BADLY DAMAGE IN ST. THOMAS

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Closer to Home
IVAN AND DENNIS

ROADWAY BADLY DAMAGE IN ST. THOMAS

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Closer to Home
IVAN AND DENNIS

A BADLY DAMAGED FLAT BRIDGE, BOG WALK GORGE

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Closer to Home
IVAN AND DENNIS

CAUGHT IN THE STORM

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Closer to Home
IVAN AND DENNIS

House washing away in the Hope River Valley, Papine St. Andrew

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Nature of DISASTERS
(Contds.) - Closer to Home
IVAN AND DENNIS

Harbour View, Caribbean Terrace

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Be Prepared!!!
In order to reduce risk/damage we must
know what to do BEFORE, DURING and
AFTER an EVENT.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Businesses

Organize a Disaster Management Committee and make

plans for the protection of staff, plant and equipment.
Prepare Emergency/Disaster Plans for all Potential Hazards.
Submit Plans to the Parish Council
Develop a policy that identifies key personnel, release
procedures for employees, and method of storage for vital
records and documents.
Review insurance policies to ensure that there is adequate
coverage.
Participate in, Promote, & Patronize projects and
programmes to educate staff and public about Disaster
Preparedness.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

NGOS

Provide Leadership
Organize a Community Emergency/Disaster
Preparedness Committee and make plans for
residents. Especially for the children, elderly and
the physically challenged.
Identify potential hazards in your community and
prepare a Community Emergency Warning
System.
Establish a Buddy Warning System where
neighbours warn and help each other in an
emergency.
Development Pro-active Partnerships with
public/private/other NGOs.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The Individual

BEFORE:

Make a thorough check of your building

and property for potential hazards.
Keep at hand supplies for battening down.
Clean drains near your house.
Know evacuation route and nearest
shelter just in case.
Prepare your emergency supplies kit.
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Emergency Supply Kit

Warm/Safe Clothing
Non-perishable Food Items
Water
Sleeping Bag/Tent/Camp
Stove/Blanket
First Aid Kit/Special
Medicines
Radio
Flashlight
Batteries
Important Documents
Special Supplies think
about things you rely on,
especially in an emergency!!

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The Individual

DURING:

Stay Calm.
Stay in side
Listen to the radio
Open the windows to the opposite side
of the house.
Eat the food that was on the refrigerator
first.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO?

AFTER:

The
Individual

Listen to radio for updates.

Check for damage done to house &
property
Clean up
Telephone the St. James Parish Council
Parish Emergency Operations Centre
(PEOC) if you need emergency assistance.
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Role & Responsibility of the

Parish Disaster Preparedness
and Emergency Management
Committee
Manage
(Plan, Organize, Coordinate, Lead,
Control)

Plan (Formulate goals & objective, Strategize)

Organize (List, Collate, Divide, Control, Share)
Coordinate (Teamwork, Delegate, Collaborate,
Implement, Monitor, Adjust)

Assure

(Produce results, Secure, Reassure, Set

minds and hearts at ease..)

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WHAT HAVE WE BEEN

DOING

Inspecting and Re-establishment of

Shelters.
Training of Shelter Managers.
Conducting Emergency Drills
Collaborating & Partnering with
Agencies/Businesses & NGOs
Organizing activities/programmes to
meet the Health & Welfare needs victims.
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WHAT YOU CAN LOOK

FORWARD TO

More Public Education and Awareness Programmes

(Poster/Essay Competitions, Presentations, Press
Releases, Community Meeting etc.).
More Emergency Simulation Exercises (Fire,
Earthquake, Floods, Hurricane).
Greater collaboration and partnership with
Agencies/CBOs/NGOs/Private Sector.
Development of a Comprehensive Integrated Disaster
and Emergency Management Plan for St. James.
Continued dialogue with all stakeholders.
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DISASTER DO
HAPPEN

BE

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THE FURTHER WE ARE

FROM ONE DISASTER

THE CLOSER WE ARE TO

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THE NEXT

PREPARE AND
PREVENT !!!

RATHER THAN
REPAIR AND
REPENT

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THE
END
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