BL&P donates to fill DEM communications void

The need for full access to vital communication networks in the midst of a disaster cannot be understated.

This was the strong view expressed by Barbados Light and Power’s (BL&P) Manager of Communications, Jackie Marshall-Clarke, during the handing over of 90 Baofeng radios, worth $16 500, to members of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and the District Emergency Organisation (DEO) at the Radisson Resort on Monday.

While addressing attendees, Marshall-Clarke said earlier this year, the BL&P discussed how the company could further support the DEM and DEO. Having experienced the difficulties in communicating during and after the passage of Hurricane Elsa last month, the decision was taken by the company to provide robust, hand-held radios to the main local disaster management groups.

“Light and Power had a situation where we had several customers across the island without power for several days, and we did all we could using every means, trying to get information to them, but of course the people in some of those districts we just could not reach. They did not have a radio, they did not have a TV, they could not hear, maybe their phones were all out of charge by that time, and if we knew the DEOs were fully existing and working, the thing would have been to get the information to the DEMs, down to the DEOs and into the districts.

“Our plan then, to provide them with these radios, is making sure and seeking to ensure that should we have another situation that we are better prepared and that we have the help and they have the tools to make it happen,” Marshall-Clarke said.

BL&P’s Managing Director Roger Blackman also underlined the importance of a stable and reliable communication network between emergency organisations and BL&P, as communication breakdowns in the past have hampered power restoration work and also triggered delays in vital emergency assistance to affected areas in the aftermath of a crisis.

“Communication is key to the work of the DEM, the DEO and for us at Light and Power, and even more so during times of emergencies. People depend on information to keep them and their families safe and help them make their next critical decision. It plays an important role in keeping Barbadians safe.

“With this donation to the DEOs today, those on the ground in those districts across Barbados can communicate with the national emergency operations centre, and through them share critical information from Light and Power, back to neighbours in their area,” Blackman said.

Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Kerry Hinds thanked BL&P for the generous donation, noting that both citizens and corporations had a role to play in helping the nation be better prepared to mitigate disasters.

“We should never lose sight that disaster management and preparing for and responding to adversity, are oftentimes shared responsibility requiring the input from a myriad of individuals and organisations collaborating for the greater good and giving selflessly to this particular pursuit of national resilience.

“It cannot be underscored enough that we all have an invaluable contribution to make in preparing for and safeguarding ourselves, and in building resilience.” (SB)