Community emergency managers push self-help preparedness

An “unacceptably high level of complacency” could undermine the country’s resilience, a community emergency manager said on Thursday, as he urged people to take personal responsibility for being prepared for hurricanes.

Selwyn Brooks, the liaison officer for the Community Resilience Programme which works closely with the district emergency organisations (DEOs), said that building nationwide disaster resilience begins with individuals and local communities rather than relying solely on government action.

“I think there is still an unacceptably high level of complacency,” Brooks cautioned. “The resilience of the country does not start at the government level. It starts at the individual level, at the community level, and it builds up. If more communities are adopting and practising certain skills and knowledge, that is what builds the overall resilience of a country.”

Residents across all parishes have been encouraged to review their personal emergency plans, secure basic disaster supplies, and participate in local DEO training sessions as the hurricane season continues. 

In recent months, the DEOs have conducted extensive training sessions across communities. The sessions have focused on essential practical skills required immediately following a severe weather event, including first aid, tarpaulin installation, and the safe operation of chainsaws.

The Barbados Statistical Service has also conducted damage assessment training for both emergency personnel and the wider public. Brooks said that training remains an ongoing process tailored to community needs and public participation.

“We are seeking to engage and recruit additional members of the community,” Brooks explained. “We are in the process of hyping up preparations even ahead of next year’s hurricane season. That is the next major initiative that will be launched by the end of this month, which will help prepare for this season, but focusing on building a higher level of capacity for next year.”

The insights gained from a recently completed conference on community resilience are actively guiding new outreach efforts and creating a dynamic, continuously evolving emergency response plan, he added.

Behind the scenes, emergency teams continue to strengthen the communication infrastructure. Radio emergency teams conduct weekly radio net exercises to hone operator etiquette, test equipment, and identify geographical “blind spots” where frequency coverage may drop.

Regular testing ensures that operators develop strong technical competence and enables officials to identify areas requiring technical support before a major disaster strikes.

While meteorological forecasts suggest this year’s hurricane season may continue to experience slightly below-average activity, officials warn against taking weather predictions lightly. A slow-moving tropical storm can cause widespread damage through prolonged rainfall, severe flooding, saturated soil, and fallen trees that block evacuation routes.

When asked directly whether the island is adequately prepared for the season, Brooks remarked that preparedness was never a static target and varied greatly depending on the strength of approaching storm systems.

“Are we adequately prepared for a Category 3 and 4 hurricane? I will have my challenges to say yes,” he said. “I think we are as prepared as we want to be, but there is always room for improvement.”

A primary hurdle facing disaster management officials remains public indifference, disaster management officials say, stressing that individual vigilance is the single most critical factor in mitigating storm damage.

(RR)