KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) says it is organising several activities for January to commemorate Earthquake Awareness Month.

According to a release on Monday, the month’s activities are being observed under the theme ‘Drop, Cover, Hold: Earthquake Readiness Is Within Our Control’. The Earthquake Awareness Campaign was officially launched by ODPEM on Sunday, January 14.

Among the activities being planned are a press launch at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston and an earthquake awareness exhibition at parish libraries across the island on Tuesday, January 16.

Earthquake Awareness Day for schools and businesses will be on January 17 and 18, respectively. The ODPEM is encouraging them to conduct earthquake safety drills.

On Friday, January 19, the ODPEM is set to carry out its own earthquake drill to highlight its readiness, while on January 25, it will host an earthquake symposium at Kingston High School to discuss the country’s level of readiness for seismic events. The symposium will begin at 5:00 pm.

A fact sheet issued by the ODPEM says that Jamaica’s geographic location along the northern margin of the Caribbean Plate and the presence of an active fault line makes the country vulnerable to earthquakes.

The agency also indicated that with the lasting impact of the October 30, 2023 earthquake, it is quite timely that the nation pause to reflect, share expertise and ensure preparedness for the threat of earthquakes.

A newspaper supplement will also be published on January 25 to promote and share earthquake safety awareness information and best practices.

The activities will culminate on January 31 with an Earthquake Roadshow dubbed, ‘Talk in the Park’ to be held at the Portland Marina. It will be aimed at providing a unique opportunity for questions and answers about disaster-related events.

Citizens are being urged to take the necessary precautions and arm themselves with knowledge and information about earthquakes.