Schools in Clarendon Attend Educational Session on Earthquakes

The first in a series of educational sessions on earthquakes in Clarendon, was held yesterday (January 11) at the Spaldings United Church in the north of the parish.
More than 100 students and teachers from Ritches, Smithville, Spaldings and Alston Primary, Kilsyth Primary and Infant, Long Look All-age and Garlogie Primary and Junior High Schools participated.
The sessions will benefit at least 15 schools in the parish, and are being held in observance of Earthquake Awareness Week (January 9 to 14), under the theme: ‘Earthquakes have no season, Be aware. you can prepare’.
Clarendon’s Parish Disaster Co-ordinator, Nether Lyttle told JIS News that it was important to develop a culture of disaster preparedness as a number of disasters of various kinds were affecting humanity globally.
“The message we want to pass on is simple. As the theme suggests, earthquakes give no warning, and so we want persons to be aware of all the steps to take and to put disaster preparedness into practice and hopefully when disasters occur, we would be more able to respond appropriately,” he said.
Mr. Lyttle said that another session is scheduled for Thursday, January 13 at the Kellits Church of God in North Clarendon, where at least eight schools, including Kellits Primary, Crofts Hill Primary and Junior High, Arthur’s Seat, Brandon Hill, Mount Carmel, Staceyville, Bunkers Hill and McNie All-age schools are expected to participate.
In addition, representatives of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) are to host a special meeting on January 14 in the Mitchell Town Community in Southeast Clarendon. Persons are also invited to view the display on earthquakes, which has been mounted at the Clarendon Parish Library in May Pen.