*PAY ATTENTION TO WEATHER MESSAGES - ODPEM DIRECTOR GENERAL



*PAY ATTENTION TO WEATHER MESSAGES - ODPEM DIRECTOR GENERAL*

Kingston, November 15, 2010






 

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Ronald Jackson, has urged news writers to be careful not to confuse meterological conditions. He was referring to the fact that it was extreme rainfall and not Tropical Storm Nicole that brought severe weather conditions to Jamaica at the end of September.



Addressing the Public Relations Society of Jamaica at his office on Monday, November 15, Mr Jackson said that it was important to make these distinctions as climate change would be bringing more severe weather to the Caribbean as it was elsewhere in the world and that the public needs to be aware of what weather bulletins advise.

Mr Jackson also said that it has observed that Jamaicans are better prepared for severe weather than ever before.

The Public Relations Society of Jamaica is the local professional body that serves the interests of PR counsellors, and officers and that encourages continuing education and ethical standards in the field.

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JAMAICANS MORE PREPARED FOR SEVERE WEATHER DISASTERS

Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Ronald Jackson, said that Jamaicans were more prepared for severe weather now than a decade ago. Addressing the Public Relations Society of Jamaica at his office on Monday, November 15.









 

 

Minutes General Meeting, November 15, 2010

November 15, 2010

OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (ODPEM), 
Operations Centre, 2-4 Haining Road

Members Present

Past Presidents

Miss Christine Ann Bell, Innovative Ideas

Mrs Janneth Mornan Green, Media Central

Members
Mrs Gwyneth Davidson, OPM

Mr Leo Mc Ewan, Ministry of Transport and Works

Ms Delmares White, ODPEM

Mrs Pat Tyrell Chong, National Irrigation Commission

Ms Opal Davis, NSWMA

Mrs Blossom Laidlaw, CARIMAC

Mr Christopher Benjamin, Consultant

Guests Present

Mrs Andrea Mc Lean, ODPEM

Ms Keisha Johnson, IICA

Ms Karelle Mc Cormack, 4H

Ms Carolyn Johnson, Maritime Authority of Jamaica

Apologies

Ms Analisa Downes, SLB

Ms Deborah Hickling, Consultant

Ms Cheryl Smith, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service

Mrs Dayner Azzellino, Marcastuta

Ms Alison Christie Binger, Illuminarte

The meeting was called to order by President Delmares White at 6:06 p.m. who invited Opal White to offer a prayer. President White acknowledged the presence of Past Presidents and welcomed visitors.



Address by Guest Speaker

Audio presentation by Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson

ODPEM National Disaster Management Media Plan

Christopher Benjamin introduced the Guest Speaker, the Director General of ODPEM, Ronald Jackson. Mr Jackson has been the DG for two years and has been employed to ODPEM for ten years. He delivered a presentation on Disaster Communication Preparedness using the recent experience of the preparations for Hurricane Tomas which passed west of Jamaica in late October.

Wording of Bulletins Important

Noting that Tropical Storm Nicole did not affect Jamaica, but that the heavy rains of September 26-October 1 were normal seasonal heavy rains, Mr Jackson said that it was important for persons writing for media to understand the Meteorological  bulletins. The bulletins trigger levels of preparedness and is also referred-to by Insurance companies when reviewing claims.

Pre-Tomas Preparations and Decisions

Mr Jackson underscored that the ODPEM does not start its hurricane communications programme at the start of the season, but it involved engaging communities and particular the youth all through the year. There is a Safe Houses Campaign currently on with 56 communities.

ODPEM has a National Disaster Management Media Plan which guides all communications actions when the Meteorological Service issues a severe weather bulletin.

They have implemented a press briefing mechanism as this is more effective than granting interviews throughout the preparation period for severe weather. The actions on the checklist are guided by information already gathered  by storm gauges as well as satellites from space.

Public behavior on hurricane preparedness has been measured by proxy using sales from grocery stores and also hardware stores. Items noted includes roof straps.

The agency has also been moving more resources to key areas ahead of the storm and also in moving persons at risk out. During Ivan in 2004 a few people moved into shelters whereas 2,000 persons moved into shelters ahead of Gustav in 2008.

Mr Jackson said that the involvement of the Head of State ahead of the expected effects of Tropical Storm Tomas in October helped to get the public ready. He noted that online discussions, radio and print commentary after the storm passed nearby still indicated that Jamaicans overwhelmingly thought of the agency as credible. He noted the need for continuous engagement with the publics and encourage responsible behaviour.

Mr Jackson called the decision to close schools in the East of the island "gutsy" when it was expected that rains from Tomas might affect those areas. The decision was made with the sole purpose of preventing loss of lives. 

Hazard Information Now A Part Of National Development

Mr Jackson said that ODPEM had been successful in making the integration of hazard information a part into the development approval process, but the agency is currently not adequately resourced to handle all of the applications that come to it. He noted that developers were expected to inform prospective buyers of known risks so that they can make educated decisions.

Karelle Mc Cormack delivered the Vote of Thanks to Mr Jackson for allowing the PRSJ to hold its meeting at ODPEM and for his address ahead of a business trip the following day. It was suggested that the PRSJ be allowed to meet at ODPM again.

Feedback on Awards of Excellence - General Matters

Christopher Benjamin reviewed the list of ideas that emerged from the October General Meeting. They were:

• Use 2011 to strengthen the society and 2012 for the first Awards of Excellence
• Engage in activities that will raise the profile of the society and attract more professionals. One idea was to have a weekly radio slot. Others were to identify spokespersons and seek opportunities for them to speak.
• More Membership activities
• Roving meetings
• Revive the cocktail reception for final year PR students at CARIMAC
• Continue building the relationship with IABC
• Restart the Presidents (and Consultants) Forum
• Have a presence at events wherever possible (booth or banner)
• Offer short courses, especially to business leaders
• Establish strategic linkages with the PAJ and the MAJ

The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 by Leo McEwan and seconded by Christopher Benjamin.

The gathering repaired for light refreshments following the meeting.
/gd