Shelter Managers Take Part In Training Session In St. Elizabeth

Shelter managers in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth, are better equipped to run emergency shelters after taking part in a hands-on training session, aimed at strengthening the parish’s readiness with about a month left in the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

About 20 new shelter managers participated in the two-day programme, which began Tuesday, October 13, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Balaclava.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) led the sessions, in collaboration with the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation and Caritas Antilles.

Participants included persons assigned to shelters being repaired in and around the area, along with representatives from the Balaclava Primary School and Roger Clarke High School.

ODPEM’s regional coordinator for the south, Novia Drummonds Morgan, said the training covered managers’ responsibilities, problem-solving, registration and shelter deactivation, communications, working with volunteers and partner groups, and record keeping.

Simulations were also included to prepare participants for the challenges they may face, she noted.

Mrs. Drummonds Morgan added that the sessions also drew on the participants’ own life experience.

“So, they are learning from me and I’m also learning from them,” she outlined.

In the meantime, Acting Parish Disaster Coordinator at the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Rasha Lloyd, indicated that the parish is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Melissa.
According to her, the parish should have about 63 shelters available but some shelters remain out of use.

“We are still hoping and praying that we don’t get any form of devastation [but] in the event that we do, we have made the preparations,” Ms. Lloyd explained.

Caritas Antilles, the humanitarian arm of the Roman Catholic Church, is supporting the effort through its RISE (Resilient Infrastructure for Safer Emergencies) Initiative.

Working with the Diocese of Mandeville, it is retrofitting a hurricane-damaged building in Balaclava as a shelter and helping the community to develop a disaster plan.

Disaster Risk Reduction Officer for Caritas Antilles, Sanatty Holness-Plummer, pointed out that the initiative also offers cash grants for home rehabilitation and livelihoods and trains community groups in damage assessment, first aid, CPR and fire management.

Mrs. Holness-Plummer urged residents to prepare before disasters strike.

“It’s better to be prepared than to have an emergency and you’re not prepared,” she said.