Dennie Quill, Contributor
IT IS a commendable policy decision for the Government to introduce mandatory evacuations during times of hurricanes and other emergencies. Parliamentarians should support this legislation vigorously so that the nation can maintain its focus on danger as well as public and personal safety measures. As a country we must face the fact that disaster looms continually during the hurricane season which runs from June to November. This is disaster that we can plan for. There are others for which there is no warning.
I believe this regulation will serve a great purpose in putting those in maximum danger above risk. The new legislation will hopefully serve as a psychological boost to get people to understand the serious threats these hurricanes pose. It would be desirable for the change to be driven by perception rather than regulation but this is Jamaica. It will reduce the human and economic costs and will also compel us as a nation to learn from the mistakes of the past, for the most serious risk to our future is in the continued failure to plan appropriately.
UGLY SCARS FROM PAST HURRICANES
What happened last week with Hurricane Emily, resembles the events of the week before with Dennis and mirrors what happened with Ivan last year. These are not rare occurrences. We bear many ugly scars from past hurricanes, so only a historical dummy would be surprised that 130 miles-per-hour winds and driving rains have caused substantial damage to agriculture and property. For the current season, meteorologists who appear to be getting better at their craft have predicted up to nine hurricanes. So far we have been side-swiped but we can be assured that one of these killer storms will take aim and get its target. We have been lucky so far - but how many more times are we going to dodge the bullet?
There is a cost to mandatory evacuations. Some costs are direct while others are indirect. Hurricane shelters have to be well equipped with food and emergency supplies, and proper sanitary facilities so that people may feel confident to leave their homes. These should be in place before the start of each hurricane season. The security forces also have a great charge in controlling exits and entrances to evacuated communities to prevent vandalism and protect property.
But long before we get to evacuation much has to be done to prepare for these events. The Government has a duty to reduce hazard vulnerabilities by ensuring that the funds are in place to improve the country's drainage system. Also the Government has a mandate to see that development takes place in a responsible manner. The private citizen also has a responsibility to do everything in their power to avert disaster. It is not acceptable that the government's role should increase and the citizen's role should be diminished.
BUILDING CODES
The planning authorities need to take a long hard look at building codes for commercial and residential developments. The microscope should be turned on flood plains and ocean front properties to see whether tougher building standards are required. Persons who need assistance in elevating their homes should be given help. And once a flood hazard area is cleared, there should be strict enforcement to prevent anyone from erecting new buildings. There has to be the will power to enforce land use regulations.
One cannot overstate the importance for citizens to reduce their risk from natural disaster, because irresponsible actions often lead to enormous social and economic costs. They are the ones who demand help when their actions lead to catastrophe.
Memories are short, so as soon as the dust settles, people return to their homes in gully beds and we learn nothing from history except how to repeat our mistakes.
Let's hope that in this new era of disaster management our leaders understand that the lessons of history should be taken into account for only by understanding our mistakes can we alter our actions in future.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com.
