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THE DAILY OBSERVER 

Monday, June 4, 2012 

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Every year at this time, the Office of 

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency 

Management (ODPEM) leads the nation 

into fulsome focus on the need for 

preparedness in the event of disasters, 

and in particular, disasters associated 

with the onset of the six (6) month 

period of the hurricane season. 

While it is virtually impossible to be 

isolated from the ravages of disasters, or 

be able to precisely predict their 

occurrence, scale or magnitude of their 

impact, by engaging in proactive forward 

planning and preparedness, it is possible 

to minimise the severity of the resulting damage or loss. 

The theme chosen for this year’s preparedness and awareness initiative: 

EMBRACE CLIMATE CHANGE REALITIES ... BUILD DISASTER RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, is 

one that I urge all Jamaicans to fully embrace. In addition to severe weather 

events, climate change is increasingly being associated with impacts on: clean 

water supply, health of reefs, habitats of our fish stock, agricultural production, 

patterns of rainfall, severity of droughts, community health and sanitation, even 

the spread of diseases, and the overall economic and social life of the 

community. Climate change has an impact on the environmental sustainability of 

the communities where we live, and so all of us need to concern ourselves with 

the challenge of climate change and what we can do to build the capacity of the 


MESSAGE FROM 

THE 

MOST HON. PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER 

PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA 



community to withstand and minimise its impact. 

To a great extent, the capacity of the community to be disaster-resilient will 

depend on our own actions. There are things we can do to help; from taking care 

of the infrastructure put in to help protect the community from damage and 

destruction caused by raging waters; to avoid building our homes in areas close 

to gullies or on land that is prone to slippage and flooding. It includes proper 

disposal of garbage and controlling the spread of harmful diseases. Even our 

risky personal behaviour and lifestyles can impact on the health and safety of our 

communities and thus make it less resistant to disasters. 

In much the same way that at the national level, Jamaica is committed to the 

principles of a sustainable environment, so too at the level of the community, we 

must do the right things so our communities can continue to serve our socioeconomic 

needs. 

While most people will not see their actions as impacting the community, it is 

now more important than ever to accept that everything that we do at the 

community level be done towards ensuring its protection and sustainability; 

making it disaster resilient. The community development vision must take account 

of climate change and environmental imperatives. 

I urge all Jamaicans to play their part in strengthening the capacity of their 

communities to be disaster resilient and ensuring that with God’s grace, our 

nation will have a safe year without loss of lives or damage to property due to 

disasters. 

The Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller 

Prime Minister of Jamaica




Message from 

the Leader of the Opposition 

Mr. Andrew Holness 



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Jamaica is always at risk and 

exposed to natural disasters 

whether they be hurricanes or 

earthquakes. We have seen the 

disastrous consequences of these 

occurrences such as floods, 

considerable damage to 

infrastructure, loss of property and 

most tragically, loss of lives. 

As we approach the 2012 hurricane 

season, we are reminded of the 

constant need to ensure that the 

general public is provided with all 

information available so that they can 

develop the necessary awareness to 

make them fully prepared to face all 

possible dangers. In this regard, both 

the public and private sectors must 

work in concert with each other. 

Programmes of sensitisation are 

extremely necessary and must be a 

constant feature of our support efforts. 

We must exploit the benefits and 

effectiveness of the mass media in 

enlightening the public about possible 

catastrophes and the necessary 

responses. We must also remind 

Jamaicans of their own responsibility to 

take steps to avert danger and protect 

themselves and their properties. This is 

necessary because there are always 

threats from hazards which we create 

ourselves. 

The Office of Disaster 

Preparedness and Emergency 

Management (ODPEM), a most 

critical Agency, has been doing an 

excellent job in carrying out its 

mandate of disaster management 

since 1993. It has been very 

successful in reducing the impact of 

disasters in Jamaica. This is why we 

must make available all the 

necessary and affordable resources 

to support it. 

Andrew Holness, MP 

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE 

FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH SUPPLEMENT 

“There are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over the external forces such as earthquakes, hurricanes and 

tsunamis. What really matters is the internal forces. How do we respond to those disasters Over that we have complete control”~ Leo Buscaglia 

This typifies the challenges faced by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) that functions as the nodal Agency for the 

application of processes to treat with the preparedness and reduction of all disasters at the national level. Traditionally, we as a people have tended to focus on the 

conventional disasters of hurricanes, and to a lesser extent, earthquakes. In more recent times this foci has expanded to include tsunamis. Too often we ignore at our 

own peril, manmade disasters that can be just as devastating (if not moreso) in some instances. Diseases, pandemics, unsafe construction practices, environmental 

degradation, urban conflagrations, compromised water supplies, terrorist attacks, chemically induced explosions and hazardous material transport or misuse often 

go under recognised as aspects of Disaster Management that are compelling of our attention. 

In addressing these 

problems, ODPEM will 

spearhead the creation and/or 

strengthening of nationally 

integrated Disaster Risk 

Management mechanisms, 

with designated 

responsibilities through to the 

local levels to facilitate 

coordination. 

To this end, ODPEM will 

vigorously pursue: 

Institutional, Legislative and 

Policy Frameworks - 

Building upon the pending 

legislative framework and 

already approved financial 

allocations for disaster 

response and risk reduction. 

Hazard, Vulnerability and 

Risk Assessments - 

Establishment of a georeferenced 

national database 

of potential disaster areas and 

the likely impacts. 

Disaster Management 

Systems - Lobby for disaster 

preparedness and response 

systems to be built into all 

government, public, private, 

corporate sectors and civil 

societies’ developmental 

plans. 

Early Warning Systems - 

Enhancement of our flooding, 

landslide and tsunami 

monitoring capacities. 

Disaster Preparedness 

Plans - A review of disaster 

preparedness plans at the 

parish and community levels, 

starting with the most 

vulnerable areas. 

Mitigation and Integration 

of Disaster Risk Reduction 

in Development Sectors - A 

review of mechanisms (such 

as mandatory risk 

assessments) to incorporate 

disaster mitigation measures 

in all “development” projects. 

Public Awareness and 

Education - Promulgation of 

public awareness and 

education programmes for 

specific disaster risks. 

Capacity Development - 

Deepening the partnerships 

developed with the national, 

regional and international 

institutions for capacity 

building support. 

Communication and 

Transportation - 

Development and 

implementation of protocols 

for emergency 

communications. 

National Continuity Plans - 

Development of a National 

Recovery / Continuity Plan to 

include more importantly the 

essential social and economic 

services. 

ODPEM will continue to be 

proactive in its approach to 

disaster risk management 

rather than being ad hoc 

and reactive. We recognise 

the respective roles of 

different organisations and 

undertake to provide 

support within the 

established framework. In 

collaboration with other 

Agencies, we will ensure 

appropriate and timely 

welfare for isolated victims 

of disasters Jamaicans can 

expect no less of this 

Agency.

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DIRECTOR 

GENERAL’S MESSAGE 




June 1 marks the start of the 2012 Atlantic 

Hurricane Season. However this month holds 

greater significance on the Annual Calendar of 

the Office of Disaster Preparedness and 

Emergency Management (ODPEM) as it is the 

time when the organisation seeks to focus the 

public’s attention on natural disasters that 

commonly affect us as a people. The month of 

activities is designed to raise awareness of 

hazards and their effects, highlight how to 

prepare for and respond to their impact and most 

importantly, provide guidance on how to mitigate 

against their damaging effects. 

It is evident that, proximities to and habitation 

within hazard-prone areas such as rivers, earthquake 

fault zones and sensitive coastal areas becomes a 

trigger for disasters. While it is generally understood 

that disasters take significant toll on people’s lives, it 

is proven that they have the most devastating impact 

on members of society who are weaker and who 

struggle in the best of days to survive and even 

moreso, as the economic pressures of life further 

increases their vulnerabilities. Hence, given the 

suffering and personal dislocation experienced and 

the excessive costs incurred to recover from these 

events, it is critical that as a nation we apply both 

individual and collective measures to lessen the 

effects of all natural and man-made disasters. 

In keeping with the theme of this year’s Disaster 

Preparedness Month “Embrace Climate Change 

Realities…Build Disaster Resilient Communities”, the 

ODPEM seeks to promote the building of ‘community 

resilience’ as a major priority in the national strategy 

to tackle the effects of climate change in the most 

vulnerable communities across Jamaica. The 

ODPEM’s ‘Building Disaster Resilient Communities’ 

(BDRC) Programme has been a major strategy 

pursued since the 1980s which through increased 

knowledge, experience and its gradual improvement 

has yielded significant results. It can be noted that, 

during the past 2 years the ODPEM collaborated with 

agency partners and government ministries to 

mitigate and reduce disaster risks whilst 

implementing coping mechanisms throughout several 

communities in order to build their resilience to 

natural disasters. In this regard, the ODPEM is 

committed to utilising all its resources in an effort to 

promote a culture of safety and build Jamaica’s 

capacity to cope. 

In looking ahead, it can be envisioned that 

Jamaica’s ability to achieve sustainable development 

within the next 50 years, will require a radical shift in 

the individual and collective awareness of and 

attention to disaster management. It will require more 

robust legislative support, sound physical, social and 

environmental planning and the strengthening of both 

human and technological capacities within the local 

authorities in order to prevent disasters. 

In closing, I encourage all Jamaicans to join in this 

initiative and be wisely counseled by the words of 

Plato which states that: “Nothing can be more 

absurd than the practice that prevails in our country 

of men and women, not following the same pursuits 

with all their strengths and with one mind, for thus, 

the State, instead of being whole is reduced to half”. I 

therefore urge your continued support and 

encourage all to work and pray for our island-nation 

in its efforts to thrive, withstand and preserve itself 

against all adversities. 

Ronald Jackson 

Director General



STRAPPY 

Some of the Organisation’s 

responsibilities include: 

Providing appropriate public 

education and training 

programmes and consulting 

services relating to all aspects of 

disasters management. 

Identifying and analysing hazards 

or emergency situations and 

conducting related operational 

research into their effects. 

Encouraging and supporting 




“Strappy” our friendly Hurricane Strap Mascot is here to promote hurricane preparedness through safer 

roofing measures. 

Strappy was born out of the vision of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management 

(ODPEM) along with the support from the Department for International Development (DFID) under the Tropical 

Storm Gustav Recovery Project 2009. 

This year, the ODPEM continues to teach more persons how to make their houses more resistant to wind damage by 

using the Hurricane Strap. The hurricane strap has been proven and tested to be one of the easiest and simplest 

methods to use for hurricane proofing roofs. This can be done by correctly placing one or more on at every 

rafter of the roof and connecting it to the wall plate. 

How The ODPEM 

Actively Prepares Jamaica For 

And Manages Disasters 

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency 

Management (ODPEM) is a statutory body, established in 

1993, with the passing of the Disaster Preparedness and 

Emergency Management Act. The ODPEM was set up to 

replace the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency 

Relief Co-ordination (ODIPERC). The ODPEM now reflects a wide mandate, which covers 

the various areas of disaster management, preparedness, prevention and mitigation, 

and response. 

The ODPEM carries out its mandate in collaboration with various 

government entities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the 

private sector. 

disaster preparedness and 

mitigation measures in all parishes 

in collaboration with the local 

government entities, communitybased 

organisations and the 

private and voluntary agencies. 

Developing and implementing 

policies and programmes to 

achieve and maintain an 

appropriate state of national and 

sectoral preparedness for coping 

with all emergency situations. 

Co-ordinating the activities of 

operational agencies during 

disasters. 

Developing contingency plans for 

emergency situations at the parish 

and national level. 

Encouraging measures for 

mitigating the effects of hazards 

and to reduce losses from 

disasters. 

Encouraging the development of 

comprehensive disaster prevention 

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and preparedness programmes 

and capabilities. 

Establishing, maintaining and 

managing mutual assistance and 

co-operation agreements. 

Adapted from the Office of Disaster 

Preparedness and Emergency 

Management Citizen’s Charter

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Safety Tips 

You Can 

Use… 

At the start of the 

hurricane season: 

Check thoroughly 

the roof of your 

house, hurricane 

shutters, hooks and 

latches and repair 

where necessary. 

Make sure that 

galvanised sheeting 

on the roof of your 

house is properly 

fastened. 

Keep in stock extra plastic 

bags and sheets of plastic. 

Plastic is essential to prevent 

important documents, 

paintings, equipment and 

furniture from getting wet. 

Keep handy a supply of 

lumber, plywood, timber, etc. 

for battening down purposes. 

Trim trees that touch power 

lines or hang over the house 

and other buildings. 

Make sure that emergency 

cooking facilities such as coal 

stoves are in good working 

condition as these may be 

necessary. 

Make sure you have a supply 

of kerosene and coal. Keep 

coal dry by wrapping in a 

plastic bag or other 

waterproof material. 

Latch down securely all small 

buildings in the yard such as 

outdoor kitchens, pit latrines, 

tool sheds, barns, etc. 

Store extra food, especially 

things that can be eaten 

without cooking or which need 

very little preparation. 

Electricity may be off during a 

hurricane, leaving you without 

refrigeration. 

Place emergency food supply 

in a waterproof container and 

store in a closed box, 

cupboard or trunk. 

Make sure you have 

emergency equipment in your 

home. These include water 

boots, raincoats, flashlights, 

batteries, portable radio, 

kerosene lamps and matches. 

Have simple first-aid 

equipment such as iodine, 

bandages, eye lotion, etc. at 

home. 

During a hurricane… 

Do not go outside unless it 

is absolutely necessary. When 

the winds get very strong, you 

are in danger of being hit by 

flying objects. 

Children should not be taken 

outside since they may be in 

danger of being blown away. 

If you are away from home, 

remain where you are until 

the hurricane has passed. 

Many people have lost their 

lives trying to go from one 

place to another. 

Keep a hurricane lamp 

burning, as it may make the 

night more tolerable. 

If the house shows signs of 

breaking up, stay under a 

table or stand in a sturdy 

closet. 

Be prepared for material 

falling from the ceiling. 

If your glass windows have 

not been boarded up, place a 

large heavy object in front of 

the window to protect yourself 

and others from splintering 

glass. 

Be calm! Your ability to act 

logically is important. 

Listen to the radio for 

information on what is 

happening. 

After the hurricane… 

Seek medical attention at 

first-aid stations, hospitals or 

clinics for persons injured 

during the storm. 

Do not touch loose or 

dangling electrical wires. 

Report these to the power 

company, the nearest police 

station or parish council. 

Report broken sewer or water 

mains directly to the parish 

council, the public works 

department or water 

resources authority for your 

area. 

Water which has been stored 

should not be used 

immediately after the storm 

for washing houses, cars and 

watering gardens until normal 

water services have been 

restored. 

Do not empty water stored in 

bathtubs or other receptacles 

until safe drinking water is 

restored. 

Boil all drinking water until you 

are sure that a safe water 

supply has been restored. 

Watch out for fallen trees. 

Collect fallen branches and 

other debris and pile them 

where they can be easily 

collected. 

Do not go outside barefooted. 

Avoid wearing open shoes 

and watch out for broken 

glass.






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The 

Earthquake Hazard Hunt 

Especially in small 

earthquakes which make 

up the vast majority of all 

earthquakes, most injuries 

and fatalities occur 

because the ground 

shaking dislodges loose 

objects in and on 

buildings. Conduct an 


of your environment and 

eliminate objects that have 

the potential to cause 

injuries. Foresight and 

common sense are all that 

are needed as you go from 

room to room and imagine 

what would happen in an 

earthquake. 

Some common earthquake 

hazards are: 

What-nots, wardrobes, 

freestanding closets, 

dressers and bookcases: 

These may topple over 

during an earthquake unless 

they are securely anchored 

to the wall. Either bolt 

directly through the back of 

the furniture into the wall or 

use steel angle brackets. 

Fallen furnishings could 

block your escape route, in 

addition to causing injury 

and damage. Freestanding 

bookshelves, especially in 

an office setting, should be 

bolted to the floor and to 

ceiling posts and put 

guardrails or ‘fences’ on 

open shelves so that items 

cannot slide off. 

Tall, heavy lamps, vases, 

figurines: If you display 

fragile items on open 

shelves or tables use 

industrial Velcro to attach 

items to stands. 

Hanging plants and 

mobiles: These tend to 

swing widely during 

earthquakes. Hang planters 

on hooks that can be curved 

over to form a circle so that 

the wire or cord cannot jump 

freely. Use lightweight, 

plastic containers or baskets 

instead of heavy, ceramic 

ones that may cause serious 

injuries if they strike 

someone in the head. 

Mirrors on walls: Ensure 

that mirrors are securely 

bolted to walls. 

Heavy objects on wall 

shelves: Ensure that 

shelves are securely 

bolted to walls. 

Adjustable shelves, the 

board of which rest on 

wall brackets, can be 

stabilised with clips or 

wire to connect the board 

to the bracket. 

Remember to use 

guardrails on shelves 

and do not place chairs, 

desks, beds, etc., beneath 

shelves where items can fall 

on people. 

Window air conditioners: 

Make sure they are securely 

fastened and bolted into 

their spaces so they do not 

fall out. 

Hanging lamps or 

chandeliers: Make sure 

they are securely fastened to 

the ceiling. Put a mesh or 

plastic guard around 

fluorescent bulbs to catch 

any splinters. 

Unsecured TVs, 

computer or cart with 

wheels: Attach TVs and 

computers to their stands 

with industrial Velcro or bolt 

the items to the stand. 

Wheels on carts must be 

able to be locked to ensure 

that the cart will not roll 

around wildly. 

Bed by window, heavy 

objects on shelves above 

bed: Locate bed near an 

interior wall and away from 

windows and hanging light 

fixtures or any item that may 

fall on you while in bed. If the 

bed must be next to a glass 

window, install shatterresistant 

plastic film (like the 

material used to tint 

windshields) over the glass 

to hold shattered glass in 

place and prevent it from 

flying around the room. 

Another alternative is 

tempered glass, which 

breaks into tiny rounded 

pieces, but this is more 

expensive than the film. Be 

sure that the bed is not on 

rollers, and if it is on bare 

floor, use plastic non-skid 

coasters to reduce sliding. 

Heavy pictures above 

bed: Hang these from 

fixtures that can adequately 

bear their weight. Items such 

as hanging pictures and 

items on shelves will weigh 

twice as much when they 

fall. For example, if it weighs 

2lbs. on the wall, it weighs 

4lbs. when it hits, so do not 

place over beds, desks or 

chairs. 

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