DEM & Communities
BARP
Keeping In Touch With
This Hurricane Season
(L-R) Acting Director, Department of Emergency Management, Kerry Hinds,
Deputy Director of the Barbados Meteorological Service, Sonia Nurse,
BARP Member and Subject Expert, Ewald Mullin, Executive Manager (BARP),
Elsa Webster and Edward Bushell, President (BARP).
J
une 1st marked the start of the hurricane season and at a press
conference at the Office of the Department of Emergency Management
(DEM), Warrens Industrial Park, the partnership between DEM and BARP
was announced.
BARP is ever concerned about the health and well-being of its members.
When the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) proposed a
partnership with BARP under their theme “Keeping in touch with our
communities” we jumped at the opportunity.
With 44,000 plus members and an estimation that there is a BARP member
in almost every household, we echo the sentiments of the Department of
Emergency Management that is, that persons need to take ownership of
their own safety and security in the face of any natural disaster which they
may be susceptible to during the 2015 Hurricane Season.
We especially urge the seniors of Barbados to be in a state of readiness:
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Have a written detailed plan including identification of two or
three team members who can assist you in an emergency
Have your emergency supply kit prepared inclusive of any
prescribed medication
Have an evacuation plan in place especially, if you do not have
ready access to transportation
Secure all important documents, and
Be aware of the various emergency shelters located in your
community especially those with wheel chair access.
There are many pro-active mitigation and preparedness activities which can
be implemented on an individual level to prepare for the hurricane season.
Through the partnership of BARP and DEM our initial offerings to assist the public in
preparing for this hurricane season will include:
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A co-branded brochure titled “Disaster Preparedness for the
Elderly and People with Disabilities and Special Needs” which
will be available in hard and soft copy, and
An education and awareness series to be facilitated by
Mr Ewald Mullin, BARP member and subject expert. This series
will be transmitted via our BARP Fifty Plus Radio programme
which airs every 1st and 3rd Tuesday on VOB 92.9 FM at 9:00 a.m.
and every 2nd and 4th Monday on CBC 100.7FM at 12:30 p.m.
HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT READY.
THIS KIT SHOULD INCLUDE:
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Water - 1- 2 gallons per person, per day (3-day supply for
evacuation and 2-week supply for home)
Non-perishable food (3-day supply for evacuation and 2-week
supply for home)
Disposable plates, cups, cutlery and flexible straws
Mobility/ Special aids (canes, walkers, hearing aids with
batteries, etc)
Flashlights with extra batteries (DO NOT USE CANDLES)
A battery-operated radio
First aid supplies (surgical alcohol, gauze, band aids, etc)
Medication (at least enough for 7 days)
Sanitation and personal hygiene items (toilet paper, garbage
bags, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, etc)
Cellular telephone (fully charged and topped up)
Whistle (to attract the attention of emergency personnel)
Manual can opener
A change of clothing
Cards and other similar games to help pass the time
EMERGENCY SHELTERS IN BARBADOS
WITH WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
ST. MICHAEL
St. Leonard’s Boys’ School
The University of the West Indies
CHRIST CHURCH
Blackman and Gollop Primary School
ST. GEORGE
Cuthbert Moore Primary School
ST. JAMES
Gordon Greenidge Primary School
ST. PETER
Coleridge and Parry Secondary School
Roland Edwards Primary School
ST. LUCY
Ignatius Byer Primary School
S AV E T H E P L A N E T