The head of Jamaica’s emergency management agency says it will use this week’s earthquake awareness campaign to highlight natural disasters such as tidal waves, landslides and fires that can be triggered by temblors.

“We are placing more emphasis on secondary hazards,” Dr Barbara Carby, director-general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), told the Observer after a service to open Earthquake Awareness Week at St Peter’s Church in Port Royal, the town on Jamaica’s south coast which was severely damaged by a massive earthquake in June 1692.

The quake triggered a tidal wave that smashed into the town and sent almost 33 acres of buildings, streets, houses, their contents and occupants into Kingston Harbour. These secondary hazards, said Dr Carby, can occur after an earthquake, and the ODPEM wants to make sure that people know how to protect themselves after any earthquake.

Last week, the ODPEM said it would revamp its brochures and adjust its public education information programme to give added focus to the threat of tsunamis after it emerged that people in the Asian countries devastated by last month’s earthquake-triggered tidal waves were unaware of the temblor’s secondary hazards.

“Even as we sympathise with survivors and those who have lost loved ones, we must remember that earthquakes are an ever-present threat in Jamaica,” Carby warned. “Our efforts to save lives and reduce damage to property must be ongoing, as we will have no warnings before an earthquake strikes.”

Earlier, Dr Carby had told the congregation that in order to be adequately prepared, every Jamaican must understand earthquakes and their effects and must know what to do on a long-term and short-term basis.

“This week presents the perfect opportunity for all of us to practice earthquake drills, ensure that we have our disaster plans in place, carry out hazard hunts and remove or correct hazards in our homes,” she said, adding that people should also make an effort to assist persons who might not be able to help themselves.

“We know that after an earthquake, most persons are rescued by neighbours or friends,” said Carby. “Community and church groups can learn first aid and basic search and rescue techniques so that they will be ready should an earthquake hit us.

Community organisation is one of our most effective preparedness measures.” Schools, she said, will participate in Hazard Awareness Day when, in addition to fire drills, checks for hazards will be carried out.

“This is just ensuring, for example, that there is nothing hazardous in the chemistry labs that will break and spill,” she said. Dr Carby added that businesses should prepare for an earthquake by ensuring that file cabinets are strapped to walls and that audio visual equipment are properly secured.

“Business places should ensure that the exits are marked and remain lit,” she told the Observer. “The doors should also open outwards and they should ensure that the fire alarm is working.” The staff, she added, should also be taught the evacuation route and should ensure the safety of clients.

In addition, she said business owners should adhere to building codes and make sure structures are sound, as most persons are killed by falling buildings.

In households, Dr Carby said that persons should ensure that kitchen cabinets are locked and fluids such as bleach and kerosene oil are locked away at ground level. “Gas cylinders should be chained to the wall,” she added. Furniture should be secured to the wall with brackets. “Every family member should know what to do during a earthquake,” she said.

davidsont@jamaicaobserver.com

Activities for Earthquake Awareness Week:

Today: Panel discussion, Negril Suite, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel at 10:00 am. Theme: “Earthquake Threats: How prepared are we?”

Tuesday, January 11: Hazard Awareness Day in schools

Montego Bay High School starting at 2:00 pm

Earthquake Drill at Hillel Academy 10:00 am

Outside broadcast via Power 106 FM live from ODPEM conference room at 5:30 pm

Wednesday, January 12,: Earthquake Awareness Day for Businesses

Outside broadcast via Hot 102 on Drive Time Live from ODPEM conference room

Thursday, January 13: Earthquake Awareness Day in Schools.

Anniversary of 1993 Earthquake

Earthquake Awareness Day Expo at Port Royal 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Outside broadcast on Radio 2 Jenny Jenny Show live from Port Royal square at 6:00 pm

Friday, January 14: Anniversary of the 1907 Earthquake

Outside broadcast via KLAS FM 89 live from the Earthquake Unit at 6:00 am. Community meeting in Mitchell Town, Clarendon at 6:00 pm

Saturday, January 15:

Prayer and worship at the North Street Seventh-day Adventist Church at 10:00 am