THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHILE WE in Jamaica commiserate with the citizens of the Gulf Coast States hard hit by Hurricane Katrina we must take heed of the chaos which has all but overtaken the affected cities. Theirs is not a unique situation and will no doubt act as a blueprint for disaster management in the years to come. So, too, has 9/11.
And while we reach out to those affected, we must ask ourselves, how prepared are we in Jamaica? Not in the sense of stored supplies and battened roofs, but our ability to mobilise thousands of persons, quickly and safely. Do we have enough police, fire and ambulance support to do this, and are they properly trained. What about our prisons? Airlift capacity? Are we coordinated enough in the region for aid to be quick and effective. What about our hospitals? Can they accommodate massive amounts of persons? Do we have adequate medical supplies in storage? Water? Food?
Though we've been tested, it was nothing near to the Cayman situation post-Ivan or the now Gulf Coast disaster. And even then, we're still not fully recovered from Ivan, Dennis or Emily. If the private sector is able to supply the food and the medication needed, is the government personnel resources in terms of trained ambulance staff, fire and police prepared and ready?
And what if it's an earthquake? Can our emergency personnel cope? Do we have enough, or is it time to start training persons in communities not only for disaster management, but for first aid and trauma with packages similar to those carried by ambulances, ready for quick distribution. In times of disaster, our fire, police and soldiers will be called upon to do more than security duty. Can they handle it?
It would be good if we could hear from the government on their preparedness for major disasters. Tell us about supplies in stock and temporary shelters. Tell us how many helicopters
are available from JDF to airlift people to safety. I think now, in this time, when natural and man-made disasters are occurring all over the world, Jamaicans could do with a little reassurance about our preparedness.
I am, etc.,
CHARMAINE MORRIS
charmmorris@hotmail.com
