St. Elizabeth Health Department Ramps Up Hurricane Preparedness With Fire Safety Drills

The St. Elizabeth Health Department has ramped up disaster preparedness activities during the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, with a renewed focus on fire safety drills.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Tonia Dawkins-Beharie, said the Department has resumed fire drills at health centres across the ‘breadbasket’ parish in a bid to better prepare staff for any eventualities.

“In fact, even as recent as on September 12, we had one [at one] of our health centres and it was indeed very enlightening,” Dr. Dawkins-Beharie informed.

She was addressing the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Preparedness, Hazard Mitigation and Safety Committee meeting in Black River on September 16.

Dr. Dawkins-Beharie noted that the drills are being carried out in partnership with the Municipal Corporation and the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB). She added that it represents a continuation of preparedness efforts initiated last year.

“We will continue throughout [September] and [October] to conduct our fire drills at the smaller health facilities,” the Medical Officer further indicated.

Meanwhile, the Health Department is actively implementing preparedness strategies during the hurricane season, which typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October.

Dr. Dawkins-Beharie noted that the Department’s Parish Manager, Sean Brissett, is leading efforts to ensure that generators at major healthcare facilities are fully functional and ready for emergency use.

Additionally, she said the Department is working to significantly expand water storage capacity at key medical facilities across the parish.

“We have monthly meetings, and we continue ongoing sensitisation and training of our health care workers,” Dr. Dawkins-Beharie further stated.