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MEDIA RELEASE - NATIONAL TSUNAMI PREPARATION IN FULL GEAR
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 23rd October, 2019 For Immediate Release
NATIONAL TSUNAMI PREPARATION IN FULL GEAR
On Monday 21st to Tuesday 22nd October, 2019 a National Tsunami Response Workshop was held at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management’s (ODPM) alternate National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Mausica. The principal purpose of the event was to review and update the National Tsunami Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Trinidad and Tobago, which would inform the development of Community Tsunami Protocols and Guidelines.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in collaboration with the ODPM conducted the workshop. This workshop was one of the key components of the overall project aimed at Strengthening Capacities of Early Warning and Response to Tsunamis and Other Coastal Hazards in the Caribbean. It was sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO/IOC), the Caribbean Tsunami Information Centre (CTIC), and the European Commission Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
The lead facilitator from the CDEMA System was Dr. Evangeline Inniss-Springer, the Deputy Director of the British Virgin Islands Department of Disaster Management. Dr. Springer emphasised the importance of Tsunami preparedness being embedded within Trinidad and Tobago’s Disaster Risk Management System. Similarly, the need to strengthen capabilities for early warning and response to Tsunamis and other coastal hazards were highlighted.
The participants used the Carenage seafront to model their activities. In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Public Utilities; the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government; Ministry of Social Development and Family Services; Ministry of Works and Transport; Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force; Trinidad and Tobago Police Service; Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services; the Chaguaramas Development Authority; Institute of Marine Affairs; University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre and the Inter-Religious Organisations.
On Tuesday 29th October, 2019 a technical workshop and a verification visit will be held to facilitate the Tsunami Inundation and Evacuation Maps for the Carenage community and Trinidad and Tobago.
Photos and Captions
Photo and Caption 1: Chief Executive Officer of the ODPM Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart conversing with Dr Evangeline Inniss-Springer, Lead Facilitator and Deputy Director of the British Virgin Islands Department of Disaster Management and Mr. Lloyd Lynch, Research Fellow, UWI Seismic Centre.
Photo and caption 2: Lead Facilitator Dr Evangeline Inniss-Springer, Deputy Director of the British Virgin Islands Department of Disaster Management presents on Tsunami Preparedness within Trinidad and Tobago, at the National Tsunami Workshop at the ODPM’s alternate National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Mausica.
Photo and caption 3: A cross-section of the attendees at the National Tsunami Workshop at the ODPM’s alternate National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Mausica.
To download the full version of the public advisory please click here
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ENDS
Issued by:
Public Information, Education and Community Outreach Unit
For further information, please call:
ODPM’s Customer Call Centre 800-6376/ 640-1285/ TEMA’s Hotline 211
Photo and caption 3: A cross-section of the attendees at the National Tsunami Workshop at the ODPM’s alternate National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Mausica.
