By Claudia Gardner, Hanover CorrespondentTHE PARISH of Hanover has been declared relatively prepared to face natural and man-made disasters by the Western Branch of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). This pronouncement came after the ODPEM conducted a simulation exercise in Lucea to test the overall readiness of the respective government agencies and utility companies within the parish, in the event of a major disaster.
According to Western Regional Co-ordinator of the ODPEM Roland Haye, the exercise entailed the simulation of a hurricane, to view how the agencies would respond. He said that there were 16 mock incidents, one of which was actually role-play by persons at the Kenilworth HEART Academy.
The personnel who responded were the Lucea Fire Brigade, Emergency Medical Services and the Lucea police. Operations were co-ordinated from the control room at the Lucea town hall, which, in the event of a disaster, would be the actual operations control centre.
Mr. Haye made it clear that there is a national committee which is the responsibility of the ODPEM, and within this, each parish had its own committee.
"During emergencies the heads of all the different agencies will meet at the Parish Emergency Operations Centre (POC) and from there they will monitor and respond to emergencies within the parish," he said.
Mr. Haye cited communication pitfalls with the case of the Fire Brigade.
"In the exercise," he said, "the news came into the POC and personnel were dispatched to the scene. What was also measured was how well the agencies could communicate within and outside of the POC. The first responder was the fire unit as it is most cases. However the Lucea Fire Brigade has problems communicating once they leave the station." he added.
In his final assessment, Mr. Haye said that the co-operation was good, even though there was not a full turnout of all the agencies. He made special mention of gaps in communication. He said as well, that the response of the fire brigade, the EMS and the police was quick.
"In the event of any emergencies within the parish the heads of departments now have a fair idea of whom to work with and what to do. Because of this exercise, the parish is one step closer and is fully prepared for any eventualities," he said.
