by Donella Hosten
On Friday, 13 October 2017, as part of the activities for the annual International Risk Reduction Day, the National Disaster and Management Authority (NaDMA) hosted an Open House at the front of the Bruce Street Mall in St George’s.
According to NaDMA’s Public Relation Officer (PRO), Oslyn Crosby, this Open House was used to share information with the general public in order to achieve the mandate of the observance of International Risk Reduction Day. Throughout the day, persons were assisted with the designing their family plans, to be used as a guide in the event of a natural disaster.
Crosby reminded the public that hazards are all around, and that they all have the potential to become a disaster. Therefore, it is necessary to have the information about made available to the public to ensure that persons safeguard themselves and ‘preserve life and property.’ NaDMA also used the opportunity to inform the public about what can be done before, during and after a hazard in order to reduce the effects of it.
The event was also used by NaDMA to sign up volunteers and introduce persons to solar equipment that can be quite useful should a natural disaster occur.
When asked about the turnout and support from the public, Crosby said ‘the response has been great…we cannot complain.’ She also thanked the persons who signed up to be volunteers for NaDMA as they too play an important role in assisting in the event of a disaster.
