Community Disaster Preparedness Guide

C OMMUN IT Y
D Dis a s te r
P P r e par edness
“It is better to prepare and prevent, rather than repair and repent.” S. Thomas 1856
Protecting Your What Damage You Recovering from a Tips for Hoteliers
Home Can Expect Disaster
Advice for the Protecting your Disaster Supplies Kit Emergency

Elderly Business Sheltering
C O MMU N I T Y
D i s a s te r
Pre pa r e d n ess
H A N D B O O K
Department of Disaster Management

#3 Wailing Road, MacNamara
VG1110 Tortola, Virgin Islands
Tel.: 284-468-4200 Fax: 284-494-2024

Email: bviddm@surfbvi.com
Website: www.bviddm.com
Table of Contents
Message Fro The Director, Disaster Management 6
Ack now l gm en ts .
R e fe r e nces . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
yContact Numbers. . 8
E m e r g ency She lters In T he B V I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
In troduc ti on . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0
1.1 Zones & Zonal Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.2 Terms Used In Disaster Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3. Disaster Preparedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
W hy Sho u ld W e P r epa re ForA Disas ter?
Em erg en cy P lan n ing & Disas ter Supp lies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
P la n - Fa m y . .
Care o fC h ildre nin D is as te r s 4
Dis a ster S u pp li e s Ki t . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
o et cti n g Y o ur An im a ls
ePtS u rvi v a lKit . . . . . . .. . 8
Tips F o rH ot el O pe rator s ............................................................
. . . . . 19 a rm e rs . . . . . . ..
19
Tips r F ohermen F is& Bo ters a 0
P rote c ti n g Yo ur Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 2 2
Protect Your Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 22
4. Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities 2

Ten Pre pa r d nes sS t ep s . . .. . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . .
A s sis tin gPeo p lew ith D isabilitie sin Disa sters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
1.5 Evacuation . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P al nni n g Fo r E va cu a t io n. .. . . . .. . .. . . .. . . . . .
WhatT o D oW h e n Y ou A re To ld To E va cua te . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3
Community Disaster Preparedness Guide
6. Recovering From A Disaster ..
H a lth & Sa fet y . . . .. . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . 29
Returni n g To A Da m aged Ho use/Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
A s sis ta nce . . . .
Di s as ter s A nd M e n talHealth
How D o Pe op le R e act? .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
P h a se s O f R ac ti o ns . .
Ho ge . 2
M e a e
e E m oti ona l
a n a g in gT h eEm otionllyWounded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
p i n g W it h Th e Disaster
C hl
H T . . . ...
B e for e Y o u Le a ve .
Wh en Y o u L ea v e. .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
Items T6o Take To An Emergency Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 37
. . . . . . . . . 3Sheltering
7. Emergency 7
2.0 Natural Hazards Affecting the Virgin Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.1 Floods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
tT Before A Flood 8
What To Do Durin gA Flood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What To Do After A Flood . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3. 9 .
.. 40
2.2 Hurricanes. . . . . . . . .
H ur r ica n e G lo ssa r y . .. .. . . .. . . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. 1
Th ing s T o D o A t Th eS ta rtO fT h e Hu r rica ne S eason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
ch Is G ive n 3
Wha t To D oW he n A Hu rrica n e W a rning
E vacua t io n .. .. . . .. .. .. . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
4
Protecting Your Home
R oo f .. .. .. . .
E n ryD oo rs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
W indo ws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M eth od s O f W indow Protection 6
W he n B ui ld i ngOr Remodeling .. . .. . .. . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
S a f ty T p i sA nd Pre ca utionsFor Busin ess Estab lishm e n t s
Wh at D am age Can You Expect .
A fte rT h eS tormPasses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Re -E n tr y.. .. . . . 7
or You rS afe yt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 8
Fig u re 1 - H urricane Categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
G n a to .
Repair . . . . . . . . .
For Senior Citize . . . . . . . . ..

or The Home-Bound Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
2.3 Earthquakes & Tsunamis .

E a r th qu a ke s. . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . .
P r ep a ri n g F orE a rth qua ke Eve n ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Haza rd s C a used B yE a rth qu ak e s
T s uam n . .is. .... .. .. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 3
K n o w The Emergen cy Term s Tsu nami F acts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
T s u n am i Fa c ts.. ..
n Th e O u mi
B efore A Tsunami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4
After A Tsunami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
2.4 Ext re m e H e at andDrought s

E x tre m e H ea t .
Drought . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
2.5 Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
3.0 Community Emergency Preparedness Team (CERT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4.0 Nat io nal Em e rg e nc y Br o adca s t S ys t em . .. .. . . ..

W h a tT o Do Wh en Y ou H ea r Th e Na t ional S ir en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.0 Fire S a fe t y Ti p s .. . . .. 0
If A F ire B re a ks Ou t. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
6.0 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
5
Message from the Director,
Department of Disaster Management
Dear Community Member,
T his H an db o o khas be en c omplied b y the Community

t he D e p art m e nt o f D i ass te r eganaM m e tnt
on h o w to b e stp rep are an d evocer rf ro m t oefeeh
Pr epar edness
oyedvorpo u htiw citarp
f id etsas never
Pr ogr amme
la ofni oitamr
t ws ih yamhc
of a
n personal an family
W e sh ould a lkno w how to p r ep a e fo ra nd re sp o n d to e m e r ge n ci e ord isaste r st ha tm a y o c c ur in ou rcom m u n y ,

w h e r e nasstion
preparedn al em
and erge ncy s he l te rs a re lo c ated ,a n d b e re a dy t o b e se lf- su f fici enta f ter a n e ven t,u nt i loff ic ia la s sis tance
protection.
a r riv es .
D i sa s ters af e c t every o n e , they do not discriminate, therefore "It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and
Itepi sednet "s ig n ehdomtoap
(S .T s,r1o8v5i6d)e a gu id e on D i sa ster P rep aredness for all
ar nd , a s s cu h w, e en c ou ra ge yo uto b efa m i liar w i th i sidsat a ets sr
residents of the BVI
cSincerely,
rucona yna
t im e.Be i ng pre p a red an dknow i w hat to do can h derple u ec efar
lo sses tha t a cco m p a ny th e s e e vents .
yteixna, na d
Sharleen S. DaBreo
6
Acknowledgments
Researched and Compiled by: Robert N. Harewood, Sharleen DaBreo & Zebalon McLean
Edited by: Sharleen DaBreo, Zebalon McLean & Joyce Thomas
Formatted by: Linton Leonard
Photographs: Department of Disaster Management
Designed by: SYSTAR and Dawlin Designs
Printed by: ScripJ Printing
References:
A re Y o Re ad y ? G ui detoCtizi e n s
Co m m un ity E m e r ge ncyPlan, N a tionalEmergency Commission
A m e rci a nR e d Cr o ss
w
B D is a s te r P la n
BVINational Int e g r at e d D evelopmentPlan
7
Community Disaster Preparedness Handbook
Emergency Contact Numbers
Police. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999/911
Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999/911
Ambulance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999/911
VISAR (Virgin Islands Search & Rescue). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494-4357/6613
DDM (Department of Disaster Management) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468-4200
Virgin Islands Shipping Registry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468-2902 Ext 2902, 2903
BVI Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494-6349
Conservation & Fisheries Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494-3429
Environmental Health Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468-3701 Ext 4954, 5110
Personal Contact Numbers

Doctor
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
School
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Insurance
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Land Based Emergency Shelters in the BVI (2011 Offical List)
9
1.0 Introduction
W h en Di sa ste r sstr ik e an un p r pare d co m m u y ,th e dam ag e can b e in c redible.
Iro n i ca ly ,m anycom m unitie s, i lud ing w it inth B V I,a r e o fte n no tp r e pared
be c aus edi sa stersd o no tha p pen o ften . W i thno sen s eof im me d iat ene e d ,
Com
m ust con ti nu e , an d comm u n itie sm u stb e m ad e rea d yfo r d si ast e r im pa ct .
Historicaly, c om m u nti ie s h avea l o cated h um a n,p h ysic al a nd fin an cai lr e so
q u ci ky l i no r d e rt o m t ur g ent hu m an ne d s.P u tt n i gt hes e o u rc e sin p l
u racesu n l ty ra ed t mi , ff i e
v a r i in he ir ng e c t v n es s , f c i ef i ency a d nre ia lb i li ty w
, h ic h a er
c e ah s
cr i t ic alf ac to r sin the costtha t is me a su re d e ithe r i nlives lo st or p ro p er ty d amaged
an d /ord e s troye d .
Community-based preparedness and planning allow us to manage the potential

h a zard f low in g a d tsasi never nI.t d y,laudivi
fa m ili est o ge tt h ro ugh oht itrces lac i moC.sem
t ew ca n p rap r oh sm
um in eit sca poslan nal wot
dn
a
kro
o ge t her,through t h e ir Zo n al C omm itte esore xam pl e,to red u ceinjur y , de at h a nd
p ro perty d age. C omm u ni ty P r e paredne s swil im pr ov e h t teer dabi o f d iv id u als
asPho ogr
s t -duis ssterSrt udd ies h a ve sf h ow n that gr ou ps p eprform b etm urelity
i g deis in
a sete r ece spo nse w th p r io r plan n in g. Th ey als o
wothpat oto rgane izeucd ceotm heme fuects n i tyofethe ff tshazard
m ay bim
e m act
o re andsu ccesanagsfu l ifth ate d in t ost h e so cai la nd po li ti c al p ro c es s e s o f
i tiregrrsour
n
cuntioml asmsuisntityanc
asesoisc iaa tivo naisab
l , l esc. h oo ls,workp la ces , pl ac es of w orsh p i ando t h e r org an zi a tio n s.
Effective response needs comprehensive planning and co dination of all who will be i volved, which includes the
p rvi ate s ecto r, sc h ls ,v l u n te e r g r
indiv id u a lsand grou p s to b e cr u ci a
nou
e pdse d
adnu di ncog tm
h im
mumneidtyi a te p oorstga- n izatio n s. Tra ininga nd in for mato
i n can pre pare
l r e sou r c es in t he i rc o m m u nity,c a p ab leo fpero f rmin gm anyemer genc yfunctionspr
d i s st e r p er i od . T his Handbook is designed o
t help communites and individuals
T he Ha ndb ook foc use s o nt h ep hy s ic al ha za r ds o f d is s t e rs ; o w ev er,t h re ar e so m e em o tion al as p ec ts a sw e l.L i vi ng

t h rou gh a major em erg e n cy o r a dis a ste r m ay ca us e fa tig u e,h y pe r a ctiv ity, an g er a nd w ithdra wal .C h ild re n an ds en io r sre
aespecially vulnerable to these types of post-impact psychological effects.
The Handbook should be ared with every household and community. Bei g prepared for and aware of the risks of
hazard events and taking steps to reduce them can eventually reduce their negative effects and/or resulting damage.
Becoming involved in com unity disaster management could greatly improve the preparedness and respons
ca p a bili of y ou r co mm un ity.O n e w a y t odo th is is o vol un te y o u rser v ic es to yo u r loc al Co mm un ity o rZ ona l
C o m m ittee .F o r m o re i nfo rm at io no nZ on a l Co m m itte e s ,p l ea sec o n tact th e D ep ar t m ent o fD i sa s ter Ma n age m ent.
10
1.1 Zones and Zonal Committees
Th e BV I Ter rit o rie s h a v be en d iv i d ed in to ten ( 1 0 ) Zo n e s f o r th e ef fi cien t and ef fe c tiv e m a n a g e en t oftheir various
com m un it ies.E a c hZ o n ei s m an a ge d by a de s ign a ted Z o neC oor d in ato r , and r un b ya Z on a l C o m mi t tee .
The Co or d in a tor a n d his C om mi t tee i sr e sp on sib le for the m a na g e m e of al l e m r g en cy a ct iv i ti e sa t th Z o n al lev e l,

w ith t h eo v er a lg o a lo fev a l ua ting com m u n it yr es ou rce s an d o r g a n iz ing re spo n seb e f or e th e nee dt ou se th e m a r is es.
n s d te ot o k e h a D e na C ( ) o
a
onditions that m
The objec tive o fes tablishi ng Zones a nd Zonal Committees is to help reduce or minimize
the loss
the Zone
of life from the impact
and property in of natural or other hazards.
1.2 Terms Used in Disaster Management

Disaster – a ituation resulting from an e vironmental phenom on or human-induced confl c that produces stress,
rs ona linj ury, phy s ica l d a m a ge ,an d ec om icd is rupt i on o fgre at m agnti u d e .I t ca uses n i te nse nega tive im pa cts
p eo p le, good s ,se rv ci es an d / o r t h ee nvironm ent an d e x ce ed st he e fe cti vec o m m u n ti y's ca pa b iil ty to res p on d to ti .
omnp or ta nt to n te that ev e n thou gh d isaste s are re ef r re d to by th ee ve n tth a tc au s ed t he m ; a disast er is no tth eev
I tistse l f. For e x am p le , n e a r th quakeis a natural phenomenon; if it does not strike a populated area with weak
en tit i sno t l ik e ly to b ea d is a st e r.
buildings,
D te M na nt le i , en t r s t em rg n
d Di sa ster Re co very – si t hepl anned a n dcoor din ated pr oc es s ofs up po rt in g di sa s ter a f fecte d com m u n ities i
r eco ns tr u ct o
i n t he e nvri onm ent, p h y sic a l in f ra st r uc tu re and re s to r atio n o fe mo tio na l,s o cia l, ec o n om i candphysical
w e l af re of th e popu l ation .
E m e rgenc y –a per io do ftm i i w h ic h th e r e i sa cl e ar and markedde t er ior atio n in t he c op in g ab ilit ies o fa g ro u por
co mm unity .A d d ti i on a l y,it si asit u a t io n in w h ichcoping a b il tie sa r eon ly sust ai ne db y u n us u al i nitia tiv es b yt h e
gr o u p /com m unity, o rbye xterna li nt e r v e n tio n .
Hazard – is a potential occurrence of a natural or man-made event/disaster that has negative consequences.
Risk – is the probability that a disaster will occur given the hazard and vulnerability.
Vulnerability – is the susceptibility of persons, structures or systems to be affected by a hazard.
Climate Change - Any change in global temperatures and precipitation over time due to natural variability or to
human activity. 11
1.3 Disaster Preparedness
Why should we prepare for a disaster?
D isa st er pre p ar ed n si se ve r yo ne' bu si ness . T h er e a re m a n yha z ard s wh ic h th re ate n o ur co mm u nitie s.W he n these
ha z ard sa ct u a l y co meint o c on ta c tw it h u s ,the y m a y af fe ct o u r l ive s and th e re so u rc e s w eha v e to d ealw i th t h em ,
thereby causing emergency or disaster situations.
To know how to respond to a possible threat, the community needs to be organized and prepared with the correct
information and tools to be effective.
B eing pr ared and knowing what ot do can reduce fear and anxiety, thereby reducing losses that may result from a
d saster
i event.
Therefore communities, families and individua should know what

tod o in t h e e ven t o f s to rm o r h ur rica n e , fi re , e ar t h q ua ke , or fl oo d.
If t h ey ha v e to e va cu ate th eir ho m es,t h e y sh ou ld kn o w w he reth e
nearest ergency shelter is located, and what items should be
taken there.
Emergency Planning & Disaster Supplies
Dr ec y af ter an e merg e nc y,e sse ntial s e rv c i es m ay be c u to f an d local

d is aste r r eli efa nd ve r n m e ntre sp on d e r sm ay n o b e a bleto reac h
y ou rcomm uni ty r ight aw a y. A s su ch , k n o wi ng wh at tod ot opr o tec t
yourself, your family and property is essential.
Each family should create a Disaster Plan.
Disaster Plan - Family

1. Know he natural o man-made haz rds that could a fect your
c om mu nity ,
m i tig a te th e
tahendDseeep artm
kad vcie onho wtobe stp repa reforor
s e ha za rds.This inform ato
i nm a ybe o btan i ed from c
ent of Disaster Management or your Zonal
2. Talk to your household ab t potenti l hazards or
e m er ge n c i es, h o wth ey sh o u ld r e s po n d to them, and what they
w ou ld n eed to d o if th ey h a dt oe va c u a te .
12
3. P la n h o wy o ur h se h o ld w ou ld st ay in c on t a ct w it h e ach o th e r ifse parate d .Id e n tify tw o m e e t in gp lac e s.O ne
s h o ul d b e n e r your h o m e in ca se o f a fire , an d th eo th e r sh o u ldbeaw ayfro m ho me -a t a n ei g hb o r or fa mi ly
member, in case you cannot return home.
4 Choose a friend or relative who lives outside of your area for family members to call and say they are okay.
5. Draw a floor plan of your home and mark-out escape routes from each room
6. Post emergency telephone numbers by the telephone and teach children how and when to use them
7. Make sure everyone in the household knows how to shut off gas, water and electricity at the main switches.
Consult with your local utility companies if you have any questions.
8. Join a local Commu ty Emergency Response Team (CERT) which is organized through Zonal Committe and
t h eD a rt m e n t of D is st e rM a na g e men t. T hi w ou l d give yo u t h necessa ry tran i ing n
i te ba sicrequ irem ents
fo r i den ti fy in g p o te ntial h az ar d s a n d , if ne ce ssa ry , as si st i ng in th erespon se toha zardswhich may affecty ou r
community.
9. To reduce the economic impact of disasters on your household or property:
a. Review property insurance policies regularly. Make sure they are current and meet your needs (type
of coverage, amount of coverage, and hazard covered, e.g. flood, hurricane, earthquake).
b. Protect your household's financial well-being before disaster strikes - review life insurance policies, and
consider saving money in an 'emergency' savings account that could be used in times of crisis. Also,
always keep a small amount of cash available as ATMs and banks may not be available directly after a
disaster.
c. Ensure that health insurance policies are current and meet your requirements.
10. Also, include neighbors with special needs into your plan (the elderly and disabled, etc.)
Care of Children in Disasters
General Information
Chi ld r en depe n d o n dai ly ro u tin e s:T he y w a ke up , ea t b re a k fa s t,go to school and play with friends. When emergencies
o r d isa s te r s i n te rr u p t th isr o ut in e,c h il d re n m ay be c om e a n x ious .
In adi s as te r, t hey'll lo o kt oy ou an d o th e r a d u lt s fo rh el p .How y ou re a c t toan em e rge n cy g ive s th e m c lue so n how to

a ct .I fyo u reac t th a la rm , a c h il d m a y be c o mem or e sc ar ed .T h e y s e eou rfe ar asp ro of th a t the d a ng er isr e al . If yo u
s eem o ver co m e wi th as e n s e ofloss, a child may
feel th e ir lo ss e sm or e str o ng ly .
B ea w ar e t h at afte ra disas ter, children are most

a fra i d th at - -
 T h e e v e n twil happen again.
 Someone will be injured or killed.
 They will be separated from the family.
 They will be left alone.
Preparing Children
Tea c h y o u r child h o w a ndw h en t o callo
f r he p
l .
C ec k th e te l p ho n e d ri ect o ry o
fr o
l cal em e rg enc
p h o n en u mb ers a n d p o st t he s e pho nen u m be rsb
all telephones.
y
911 0r 999
FOR FIRE, AMBULANCE, POLICE
Even very young child en can be t ught how and when to call for emergency assistance.
H e lp your c hi ld me mori ze im p o rtan t fam ily in f o rm ati o n.C h
num be r and n am eo f schoo la n d /ea r yl c hil dh o od ce n tr e .
il d re n sh o u ld m em o r ize t h eir f amil y name, addr ess,
Th e y sh o u ld a lso kn ow wh e r eto em e acnit s foe na
phone eme
th at
rgency .S om e il dr en m ay o tb e o ld e n ou gh to m e m o rize the information. They could carry a small index card
li st se m e r ge ncyin fo r m a ti on to g iv e to a n ad ult o rba b ysitter .
After a disaster
Keep the family together. While you look for housing and assistance, you may wan o leave your children with
re la t ive s o rfr ie n ds .In s te ad , k eepth fa m ily to g e t he r a s m uch a sp o s sibl e and m a ke ch ld r en a pa r t o f wh a ty o u are
d oi ng t o g e tt h e fa mil yb a c ko n it sf eet. C hil dr e n ge t an xio u s , and th ey'l lw o r r y th a t th eir pa r e nt s /gu ard i a ns w o n 't
return.
A s t he a du lt, w e sho u d
l wa k l ni am an ne r thatpl acesusb e twe e n t he tr a f fi c d t e ch i ld. As mu ch a p os sib l e w e
sh ou ld n e ver ex po s e o ur ch li tot he d a ng e rs fm ovn i g tr af fi c, a nd ne v erp lace chi ld r en in t he f ro nt se a t o f ve h ic les
(e ve n o u tside e m e rge nc y andd si as ter si tu a tio s.)
E nc o u r ag echild rent o t k. L e t c hil d re ta lk a b ou t th e dis a s ter a n d as k qu e sti ons a s m u c h as t he y wa nt .E n courage

ch i d
l r en t odescribew hat th e y'r e fe e l ing. L ist e n tow ha tth ey sa y .I fp o ss i b le,in c lu de th ee n tire f a m il y in th e
disc u s s o
in.
Cooking
M anyf a m ili es gath r in th e k it ch e n to sp endtime together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house
i fyou d o n'tp ra c ti cesa fe co o kin g b eh av io r s .
W h a t you can d o :
1. Y o u ng c h li dr e nare athigh ri sk o b e in g b u r ed b y hot f ood
a n d il qu id s. K eep chid l ren a w ay fr o m c o o king areas by
en fo r c ing a "c h il d- free z one "o f 3 f e et( 1 m e ter) o r mor e
a r o und t he sto ve , microw ave an db a r-b -q u e.
2. 's
b r
3. Nev e r h ol dac h il d in y o ur a r ms w hi le c ooking,

d r i n kin g ,o r ca rry in g h o tfood so r liq ui d s .
4. K eep yo u ng ch i ld ren at l a st 3 fe et (1 m ete r)

a w ay fr o m an yp la c ew her e h ot fo od o d r in k
is be ingp r ep are d or ca rr ie d , such a s ar ou nd
the m icr owa ve o rb ar- b-q u e.K ee p ho tfo ods
a n dliq uids away from table and counter
ed g es .
5 T
6. W hench i ldren are o ld en oug h, teach them to co

ok
s af ely . S up erv si eth em cl o s eyl .
7. U sef ir e-r es i s tant materials around stoves, micro

and b a r-b -que s . waves
8. S tore fue ls in proper containers, and

kchildren eep them
and away omfr out of the reach of
combustible
materials.
15
Fire
E ve ry c h ild sh ould be t au g h tth a t matc h es a nd li g h te rs ar etools, not toys. Adults use these tools for specific purposes:
l ig hti ng as to ve , li gh t ing a b ar- b -qu e,l ig h tin g aca n d le ,e tc .
Being Prepared
1. In m a n y fatal re sid e n tia l fir e s ,n os m ok e la rm s w e r p re se n t .K e e p y u r f am ily sa f e by inst alling a s m k e a larm

[ 75 d e c ib l sor h i g h er] on e ver y l v e l ofyo ur ho m ean d in si de a n d o ut side sl pi ng a r ea s.T est s m ok ea la r m
b a t e r ie s e v e ry m on th andc hang eth em a leas t once a y ear. Inad diti on, mak e an esca pe
mee tin g pl a c e d ca ll911 once you are safely outside. Practice the escape
pla n with aplan
com mwith on
your
d rill o n a re g u lar ba s i s. family; plan a home fire
3. Practice Fire Safety behaviors and know what to do in an emergency to give your family extra time to escape.
Disaster Supply Kit
O neof th e m o stim p or ta n t to o l s fo r em er g enc ypr eparedne s s is th e D is ase r S u p p ly K i t. Lis te d b elow a r e t h e m os t

i m porta nt i te m s. St o ck u pto d ay a ndr ep le ni sh a sne cess a ry, es pe ci a ly a tt he b e g in ni ngo f th e H u rr i ca ne Se a s on (June
1 ):
 Two-weeks supply of prescription medicines.
 Two-weeks supply of non-perishable/special dietary foods.
 Drinking water in containers: 1 gal per person/per day for two weeks.
 Flashlights and batteries for each member of the family.
 Portable radio and (7 sets) batteries.

GO
 First aid book a d kit including bandages, antiseptic, tape,
compresses, non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication.
 Two coolers (one to keep food and one for ice).

 Plastic tarp for roof/window repair, screening, tools, nails, etc.
 Water purification kit (tablets, bleach, chlorine [plain] and iodine).
 Infant necessities (medicine, sterile water, diapers, ready formula, bottles).
 Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, towels, disinfectant).

16
 Non-electric can opener and plastic trash bags.
 Toilet paper, paper towels and pre-moisturized towelettes.
 Fire extinguisher.
 Complete set of clothes, shoes, gloves, etc.
 Personal sanitary items.
 Important documents (stored in water-tight plastic bags).
Protecting your Animals

P o w n s ar e re s ponsi ble fo r h e r o te t io n o f th e ir p e ts du r in g di st er e ve nt s. If y o u p a n to ev acu ate , pla n fo r y ourpets.
as w ell .P e ts ar e ta ll ow ed in pu bl ice m e rge n cy s h el te r ss o it is v isa b le toma k e p ri o ra rra nge m ent s to s hel te r
If you go to friends or relatives, and if it is OK to take your pets take your Pet Survival Kit as well.
A tfer th disast r event has passed, be careful in allowing your pets outsid as familiar scents and lan marksma
h av e b ee n a lte re d , ca u si n g yo u r pet s t ob e co m e c on fu s e d a n d lo st . A ls o ,downed
p aw n eim
r linaels , damsaagenddb in
usil d
ein g cstsabn dro u ght w ith the d i sa s t e r c o u l d al s o p r e se n tre al d a nge rsto
peytou r petto.Tcaoknseum
c ear e n ot t oa flooodwy oour r water which may have become contaminated.
Farm Animals
1. L et li ve s t oc k , su chas cattle, sheep, goats, horses, & donkeys graze in an open field. Tying increases the chance of
i n jury and d ea t h .
2S
3. R emove a l l loo s e ma t er ia l suchas galvanized sheeting, ply boards, empty containers etc. These can turn into
m i li s and i n ju re an i m als .
4. Ensure that roofs of poultry and pig pens are properly fastened.
5 ickens in the backy rd and hto re d emo s it c rib msd us ebt

calp ed in a safe cage or box.
6. Ch e mi ca ls,fer t il ize rs an d oth er to xic m a t er ia ls sh o uld b e st or ed inthe safest sections of buildings. Chemical
ex p o sur e c cau s ese r io u si n jur ie s to p eo pl e as w e ll a s an mi a l s.
T he s afe sta nd m ost h um anec ourse of action is to fre e all co ws,

7. hgorso
es, u nd goaonts andtheir
sheep own. In most
andlet them cases, h livestock
find hig will be able to save
a rethem aselv.es as they instinctively seek out safea
17
8 If your preparations for the hur icane are completed, offer assistance to other farmers, especial y the elderly.
9. Ensure that your feed and water storage can last for at least 5 days for caged and penned animals.
1. Be c autious w hen appr oaching wild animals during emer gency situations. Do
nolitke ly corner
htleef er netathem. ade Wildyam dn
animals ewilldn ehtreg m sevl adyb gnihs olfotniffo o wd
Wildlifeeta r ,erif,s e .ct
2. If wi nadl a sl era part nroep ano t ooflaru d cruos e

vasi lbalia e lnacuoy, e va e oof rppad tair e niot dualividanimals
(i.e., animals could become trapped on an “island” after seeking high ground as floodwaters rise).
3. Wild animals such as snakes often seek refuge from floodwaters on upper l vels of homes and have been known to
rem ain afte rwater rec e d es . Ify ou e o u nt e ra nim al sin th is s itu a tio n — op en a w in dow o r o th er esca p e rou e an d
t h e an imal w lilli ke ly l ea ve o n i ts ow n. D o n ot a tt em pt toc a ptur e or h a nd l e t h e an im al . S ho u ld the a n im a l sta y , ca l
th e D ep artm e nto f A gr icu lut r e.
4. I
5 Animal ca casses can present serious h lth risks if not man ged.
6. W i ld or st ra y d o m e st ica n im a lsc a np o s e ad a n g d ur i g o rafte r m a n yt yp e sof disa s te r .R eme m ber, m o st anim als
are di sorie n te d a n d dis p la ce d,to o . D ono t c o rn era n ani m al. If an a n im a l mus tb er em ov ed, co nt acty o urloc a l
a imal control auth rities.
7. If a n y an im a lbite s yo u , s eek im m ed iate m ed i ca l a tte n tio n . I f as na k eb ites y o u ,tr y o a cc u ra t e ly id ent i fy the ty p e of
sn a k e s o th at, if poi s o nou s , th e co r re ct a nt i -ve no m ca n b eadm in i st e r ed. D o n ot c ut th e w o un d or a t tem pt t o su c k
the venom out.
8. R ats m ay a lso be a problem during and aft er man ytypes of disast er. Be
your e local to secure
sur animal all foodcontrol
supplies and authorities
c
ona
t
ct ot emover any animal cassescar in
P etS uthe
rvivvicinity.
al Ki t
1 P ro pe rID o l l arand tag
2. Ca rri ero rc age
3 L e a sh
4 A m p lef s u p ply(at least two weeks)
5. W at er/food b o w ls
6 An
7 S p e cfi ci ca e i nstruc tio n s
8. N e w spap er, ca tl it te r, s co op,plastic trash bags for handling waste
9. P ro p r ID o n a llbe lon g in gs
0N o n ele ct ri c c an o pen e r
11 . M a ke s ureyou r p e t s h avehad all their shots within the past twelve (12) months
18
Tips for Hotel Operators
W i th o u t cre a t in g pa c, h o t eli e rs s h ul d a ler t g u e st s to th e s it u io n o n a no n - go in g si s on ce re le v an tb u le tins

▪ are b e ing r e cei v ed andk e ep th e mp os te d o fde v e lo pm en ts and ap p ris e d o f y ou r e st ablishm en t's d is a s ter p la ns .
▪ If the situation deteriorates, consider suggesting their departure and assist those who wish to evacuate.
▪ A n yon e st ay in g s o ul d b e b rief ed on s he lt e rl o c a tio n s andprocedures and provided with basic essentials (non-
p er i s h able fo o d,hy g ie n e a rtic le s ,w ate r,an d b e d d i n g ).
▪ E n co u ra g e g ue sts t o t a ke r e s p onsi b il ity f th e i ow n lu g g ag e an d advise them of the dangers they may encounter
d u r in g a n d a ft er ah az a r de ve n t l ik eaf lood, st orm ,e ar th q u a ke , e tc .
▪ Discuss with your insurance agent the extent of your coverage and ensure that it fits your requirements.
▪ Encourage your staff to understand the risk and the methods of preparedness and recovery available to them.
A an g e tr a i n i ngfo ry ours t fin F rs t A id and o th e rdi sas t e rp r e p are dn es s t ra i n g th ro ug h theD D M or BV I R e d

▪ Cro s s. E nc ou ra ge them tohave ad is ast er k i t av ai la bl eat ho m ea n d t ra i n them iny o ur b u s in es s 's p re pa ra ti on a n d
r eco ve ry p la n s .
▪ P u rc ha s e m a t er ia ls ea r ly a s to ck srun low in the advent of a hazard. Ensure all electronic documents are suitably
b ack e dup a nd d isks sto red sa fe l y.
▪ Familiarize yourselves with the National Disaster Management Plan and disaster plans of the BVI Tourist Board.
▪ L e t liv t ock s uc has cattle, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys graze in an open field. Tying animals increase their
Tips
c hfor
an cesFarmers
o f i n ju r y .
▪ Ensure that drains in the fields are cleared of debris. A clogged drain can flood your farm and destroy your crops.
▪ Empty all plastic water tanks and store them in a safe place.
▪ Switch off all electrical supply to pens, water pumps, etc.
▪ R em ov e allloose material such as galvanized sheeting, ply-boards, empty containers, etc. which can easily become
m i ss il e s.
▪ Ensure that roofs of poultry and pigpens are properly fastened.
▪ Chickens and other domestic birds should be placed in a safe cage or box.
▪ Ch em i cals, fe r ti li ze r a n d oth er to xi cm a t er ia ls sh o u ld be sto r edin the safest sections of buildings, as chemical
e xp osureca ncau s ese r io u s in jur y to peop le and a n im a ls a li k e .
19
Tips for Fishermen & Boaters
B efore the o e t of a Tr p i ca lSto rm o rH u rrica n e , i tis v ery im p or tan t

fo r fis he r m enand b oa to wn er st os ec ur e th i r b o ats ande qu ip m en t .
T he fo l lo w in g pre ca u tion s sh o u ld b e folo w ed :
1. B t m or ni g s ,a nc ho rs, c ha ins ,cabel s a n d ro pesshould be kept in
g oo d co n diti on an d reche c ke d w e llina d van ce .
2. M o n ito r an d lis te n t o t he rad iofor regular weather reports,

w a rni ng s a nd M a rin eN oti c es .
3 fish pots and gear out of the wate at the first warning.
4. Re m o veb o at s f ro m t he w aterif you can, or take them to one of the

ap rp ove d M a rin e She l te rs.
If possible, mo ve boats on tr ailers close to

5. ht a reliart e udn s d-eite wo sn es t teruc h e e nti r e uni t to t he gr o u n d.Strip off and
ca
remove seall
irosloose
sec eor
t l, movable
ht riae o t u f o ruoy elia rt r tir e s,an d tight en t ie -d o w n s.
6. M a ke s ur eth aty ou rboa to r its m or i ng s ,a n cho rs , e tc. d o no tb oc k or o th e r w i seobstruct the navigable channel
or o t he ra cc e ss in t othem oorin gor an c ho ra ge . Leav e ro o m for la t e a rri vi n gb oat s .
7 Do not tie-up parallel to the bank or shoreline (receding tides may leave your boat stranded or cause it to capsize).
8. I fp o s sib le,bo a ts s h oul dbe m o ored in a g ro u p (ra fte d ).Bo w li ne s m u st be se c ure d , i nd iv i du a l yti e d to tr e es,
( e v e r to n grov e ) ,p i li ng ,o r her s tr o n g po i nts o nl a n d;a l ow in gsu f fic ei n t sl ack fo rr i is ng tid e s. Th e s t n too
s ho u ld be si m li a r yl s e cu red a b ov e g ro un d o r w ith an a nc h oror o th e r st or ng poi n ton t he s ae b e d .Bo a t s a ssem bled
in g ro up s mu st als ob e se c ur e d t o a dj a c e nt bo ats w i th b re a st- lin es a nd sp r i ng lin es f orw ard a nd af t. F end ers or
cushions of car tires should be placed betwe the boats to absorb movement, impact, and friction.
9. M o orin g lin esa nd ca b les s h o ul d be o f s u fic ie nt strength and long enough to absorb any surge or excessively high
tid e s. T hey m s t be p ro tec et d a ga i n stch afin g .
10. M oora n d s ec ure yo u r bo a t wel in a dv a nce o f the T ropical Storm orHurricane; then, leave it and do not return
tounitt ilt h e sto m ha p a s e da th e w i n d s an d aes s h useva b s dedi .
11. R el a tive l y l arge ves s els m a y n o t fi t int o th e l ist ed m a r in e sh e lt e r s. Their oper at ors
sa fe ly s ec ure t he i rve s se ls w h ichare c om p ara b l e wti h th e re s p ec iv zise e dna type
should seek other places to in due
essel,vof or esselsvput to sea
time to rt avel away from the ts orm or Hurricane to avoid ti a egotl .reht
For further information, please contact the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry at (284) 468-2902 or ext. 2902, 2903
2011 Official Marine Shelter List
21
Protecting
U se t h ef o lo wYour Business
ingchecklist to prepare a Business
R e cov e ry Pl a n: Disaster
Know Your Risk
Have your building/s inspected by a licensed professi onal to

find out if your workplace is vulnerable to the various
hazards which may affect the BVI, and r quest
recommendations for retrofitting if necessary.
 If a storm threatens, secure your building.

Take The Necessary Precautions
 Cover windows.
 Cover and move equipment/furniture to a secure area.
 Always protect your data with backup files.
I f de p e nd en t o nd at a pr o cess in g , co ns
 ibdaecrkkue pe p
s aint agn a lt e rn a tiv es ite (a n " o ff -
s i te" l o c at io n).
 M a ke provisions for alternative communications and
pow er.
 Make plans to resume work with limited resources (water/power).
 Store emergency supplies at the office.
Protect Your Employees

 Employee safety comes first!
 Prepare, distribute and exercise your Business Continuity Plan.
Consider providing shelter to employees and their families, and helping them with supplies after a disaster event.
 Establish a rendezvous point for employees in the event of a building or office evacuation.
Establish a call-down procedure for warning and post-storm communications.
 Provide photo IDs to staff.
 Share your Business Continuity Plan in Advance.

Contact Your Customer & Suppliers
 Prepare a list of vendors to provide disaster recovery services.

22
1.4 Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities
General Information
Many people will have a disability, either short-t rm or perma nt, that will limit their ability to move around.
Disab il i ti esm anif e st th e m selves invarying degree s. Everyon e n ee ds to hav ea plan

r eg a dr l e s h o r he r p hysical condition. When preparing for a disaster, we must
to be able to evacu ate a building, categories o df isabilities.
consider carefully all aspects and
 Mobility Impairments
The Five General Categories of Disabilities
Visual Impairments 
Hearing Impairments 
Speech Impairments
 Cognitive Impairments
 I f y o uare in a w he e lchair when the earthquake

Advice For
be g in Persons
s ,l o with
c kyo u rw he elsDisabilities
.
 K e p you r s e rv ci e im al s w ith yo u in a saef

p lace atho m e, o rta ke th e m w tih y ou to a
sh elte r.( SE RV IC EAN I M AL S A RE T H EO NLY
AN IM AL SALLOW E DIN ASHEL T ER)
 I f yo u are t akn
i g yo u rs er vic e a n im alto an Emergency Shelter, remember, these places, cannot care for your animal.
D o no t fo rg et to tak e a collar, harness, identification tags, records of vaccinations, medications, and food for your
s e rv ice an im al w tih y ou .
 In s ta l lat l east one sm o ke d ete c to r o n e a c hlev e lo fy o u r h om , o ut s i de sl e pinga re a s .I ns ta l l a s ys t m w it h fla s h i ng

s tro be ligh t sfo r t he he a r in g i m p air e d. R ep l c e b att e r ie s in dete c to rs at lea s t e a yea r,s uch a s on yo urb irt hd ay ,
New Y ear 'sD a y,o ra n e asi ly re m e m b e re d da y. Te st s m o k e d et ec to rsonc e a mo nth by pus hing the
 tF iest butt on.
n dt he loc at ion of a n d lea rn h o w a n d w h e n to d isc o n n e ct m a i n utility cutoff valves and switches
in your home
du rin g a nem erg e n c y.T ry to d o t his yo ur se lf, o rar ra n ge for h e lp .
 W he ntrav e ling, kn ow th e t yp e so f di s a set rsth at thr e a t en th e ar ea you will be visiting. Let the hotel or motel front
d e sk kn o w o fy o u rp o ss ib le n ee d s in ca se o f an e m rg e n cy.D e s c ri b e th etyp e o f h e lp y ou m a y n eed. In fo rm friends,
f a m ily a n d/ or y o ur n etw or k m e mb ers ofy ou r tr a vel p la ns , w hen y o u w ill l ea v ea nd w h e n y o u wil re tu rn .
23
Home Health Care and Home Bound Patients
B u ild a sup por tt e am o f pe op le w h o a re u su a ly in th e s am e a r e a asyou , a nd c a nhel p y o u i n anemergency if necessary.

T h e re al fi rs t resp o nd ers in an e m e rg e nc y ar e oft en y ou r n ei gh b o rs, f r ien d s an d c o-w o r k er s.
Bui l d su p p ortte am s with m a n y p eo pl e ate v er y p la cew h e re y sp en da l a rg epa r to f your d a y: a tw or k ,h o m e,sc h ool,

o r vo lu n te e rsit e . This is es p e ci a ly im p o rt a n tw h e ni t is h ar d topr ed ic t wh o w i l be wh e r ey ou ar e at an y g iv en t i m e .
P
qualit ie s :
 S tr o ng,
 Calm,
 Listens well,
 Communicates clearly,
 Can guide you safely, and
 A tte nd s to i m po r t t t a i ls .
Work w i th p eo ple w hoaredep en dable and have the physical and emotional ability to assist you reliably.
Buddy Systems and Attendants: Do Not Rely on One Person
Do not depend on a y one person.
If you rely o n pe rsonal ass istan ce services (att endants), the y ma y also not be
Therefore,when you need
available it is them.
important that your support eamt include other people.
Plan Multiple Ways to Give and Get Information

D ife r ent o m m u n ic a tio ns ys te m sw o rk d if fere n t ly.In an em e r g ency , som em ay w o rkw h en o t h e rs fa il .T hemore
s yst em syo u h av e a v ail ab le to y ou, th e m ore li k ely it is t ha t y ou w ill be a ble to co n tac t ot he r pe o ple. Me an so f
communications include:
1. E-mail
2 I n t e rnet
3. P ag er s
4 Textm ses ag i n g
5 . A s ta nrddpah o nethat does not need electricity (most new phones, including cordless ones, need to be plugged
6 i n t o a n e le ctricaloutlet)
C e l lp h o n e
7 Lowcost two -way radios
8. Ham radio
24
Master the Skill of Giving Quick Information on How Best to Help You
So m et im es yo u h av e t o b ui ld as u p po rt tea mo n th e s p o t.T h in kaboutwhat you will need, how you want it done and
w h at ki nd o f p eo p l e yo u w a nt to w o r k w it h if y ou h av e ac h oi ce .
e ad to ve pe ple who m y not know you clear, specific, concise information they need to be able to help you
with outc au s i n ginj u ry . Fo rexa m p l
1 . “C onn e ct th e ba t tery b yt hewindow to my vent by following the instructions attached to the battery.”
2 o x yg en ta n k; ri gh t sid of g ree n b o ok c a se. I c an breathewithout it for 15 minutes.”
3 c om m un ic a tion devi cef ro m t h e ta b l e b y the w al l. ”
4. “T a k e m y m a nual w heel c h air.”
5 h e tr a di tio n l "F ire - fig h te r'sCarry" is hazardous for me because of my respir tory condition. Carry me by
…”
6. “Y ou hav eto carry me out; get an evacuation chair hanging at the top of 'Stairway Two' and I will tell you what
to do ex t ”.
If
cannotI speak, but I do hear and understand. I use a communication device. I can point to simple pictures or key
words.
Wh enw alking with Bli nd Per son sor frail p ersons, allo w them to hold you by your elbow.
or the
This guiding
way, the person
Seeing Person leads, and the other person will follow.
You will find a communication sheet in my wallet.
Ten1.(10)
KnowPreparedness Steps for
what kinds of disasters couldPeople
happen With
in yourDisabilities
area and consider what the enviro nment might look like
after one oc curs . Certain resources or utilities may not be
independe
available ncecould
and conditions . hamper your
2 d
. C omplete a pe rso n ala s s e s sm e nt. D eci de wh at yo u w ill b e ab le to o foryourself and what assistance you
ma ynee d be f ore ,d u ri nga nd af te ra d isa s te r (b as e d o nth e d i sr up tio n)
3. C r atea p e rs o nals u pp ortnetworko ffam ily,f ri end s , re lat iv , n eig b o rs ,ro om m a te s an d co- w or k e r w ho
cou d
l s si ty ou at a m om en t'sn otci e.Dis c ussyo u r s pec ia ln eeds w i th th e m , in c lu di n gev ac ua tio n p la ns and
m ed ci al i n fo rm atio n l si t s.
4. Make an emergency information list so others will k ow whom to call if they find you unconscious, unable
to speak or if they need to h lp you evacuate quickly. Include the names, and numbers of out-of-town
contacts, as well as everyone in your network.
5. C pi el am e d ic alin fo rm atio n list t h a tcontain s th en a m es a n d num b ers ofy o u r doc tor s, yo u rm e d ic a ti ons,
do sa ge in s tru c tio ns, a nd an e xi stin g c o ndito
ins. Ma ke no te ofy o u r a da ptive e q u ipm ent , ale r g ies ,a n d a n y
com m un ci at o i n d fifi cu ltie s yo u ma yha v e.
25
6. Ke e p at le as ta se ve n-day su pp ly o fm e dic a ti o ns on h n d . A skyo urdoctororpharm acsit w ha ty ou sh o u l ddo
ify o u can n o tim m e d i te ly g e t m o e. Ify o u u n d e rgo treat m e ntsadm n
i isteredby acil nicorh o s pit a l, as k y ou r
pro v d
i er h ow to pr e par e o f r a di sr up to
i n ca u s e d by a dsi a ste r.
7. Install at leastone smoke alarm on each level of your home and test them once a month. Know the location of
main utility cutoff valves and learn how and when to disconnect them during an emergency. Identify
ev acuation routes and safe places to go during adisaster.
8
in lude your medical needs, evacuation routes, care plans for your service animals, an alternative place to stay
e tc.
9. K ee pa d isaste rs up ply kitin yo ur h om e,ca r,a nd w or k pla ce o ra nyw he r e yo u m a ysp en d you r im e,i nc lu d e
su c h ite msas food , w a te r,a f irs t a id k i t,ad a ptiv e eq u ip m e nt,b at te r i es , an d s u p pl ie sf o r y ou r pets o rse rv ic e
a n im a ls .
10. Make your home or office safer by checking hall ways, stairwells, doorways, windows and other areas for
h az ardst hat m a y k ee p o fr o m safely leaving a building during an emergency. Secure or remove furniture and
o b je ct sth a tm a y b lo ck yo ur p a th .
Assisting People With Disabilities In Disasters
People w ith disabilities who are self-sufficient under normal circumstances may have to rely on the help of others in a
d is a ster .
Provide Assistance
 People with disabilities often need more time than others to make necessary preparations in an emergency.
 The needs of older people often are similar to those of persons with disabilities.
B eca u s e d si a ste r w ar n in g sa r e o ft en gi ven b y ud b

i le m ns suchassiren s andr adio ann oun c em e nts , peop l e w h o
 a re d e a fo r h ar d o fh e arin g ma y no t re c ei ve e ar y l d si as terw ar ingsandem er g enc y ins tr u c ti ons . B e the i r s ou rc e o f
e m e r g en cy in fo rm a to i n a s i tc o me so ve rt h e rad io or t elev si o
i n.
 S o me peo ple w ho a r eb li n d or v is u a l yim pai r e d, e sp ec ial ly o lder p eo ple, m a ybe extremely reluctant to
fleave
a m i lia r s u rr o un di ng s wh e n th ere q ue st fo r ev a cu at io n co m es f ro m a st ra ng e r.
 A g ui d e d og co u ld bec om e co n fu se do r dis o rie n ted in a di s te r. P eop l e w h o a r blind or partially sighted may have 
t o d ep en d on o th er s to le ad th e m, a s w e ll a s t h ei r do g, to saf et y d u r i ng a d is a ster .
P e l ew i t hi mp red m ob ili t y are of t e co nc e rn e d ab o u t b e in g d ro p ped w h en b ein g lif te d or ca r r ied.Find out the 

p rope r way to t rans f er o r mov e s om eo ne in a w h e el c h a ira n d w h at e x i t ro u ts fr om b uild in g sar ebe s t.
S e p e op le w ith m en t a l e ta r da tio n maybe unable to understand the emergency and could become disoriented or
conf us e d ab o utt he p r op er w ay t o r e ac t.
26
 M an y re sp ira to r y l n es ses can be aggravated by stress. In an emergency, oxygen and respiratory equipment may
no t b e re ad i ly av aila b le.
 P e op el w i th epil ep sy, P ar k in son ' s di a s e and oth e r co n dition s of te n h a v e v e ry in div i du al iz e d m ed icat io n re gim es
th a t can no t be in t er ru p te d wi t hou tse rio u s c on s e que n ce s.Som e m a y b e u n a b le to c om m u n ic a te t his in fo rm a ti on in
a n em e rge nc y .
B e r e a d y to o f e r a ssistan ce if dis as ter s trik e s:

I f a d i sa s ter w ar nin g is is s ue d,ch eck w ithn ei gh b orsor coworkers who are disabled. Offer assistance whenever
p o ss ib l e .
Pr ep a rean em e rgen cy pa ln.

W or kw h i ne i gh bors who a re disabled to prepare an emergency response plan. Identify how you will contact each other
a nd w h at actio n w il be t aken .
E v a c u ati o n
B e a b le to a ssistif an evacuation order is issued.
ph y si c al a ssis tance in lea vin g t he h o m e / offi ce a n dtr ans f er r in g t o a veh ic le .

P ro videt r a n s or t a on t oa s he lt e r. T his m a y re q u ire a sp e cia li zed ve h icle d e s i gn e dto carry a wheelchair or other
mobil itye q u ipm e n t.
1.5 Evacuation
A lt ho u g heva c u a ti o n s a re no t that common in the BVI, we should still prepare to
e va c u a te i f t he n ee d do es a r ise .
If and when community evacuations become necessa y, local offi ials will
prov i de i nforma tio n t o th e p ubl ic t hro u gh th e N at ion al Em erg e n cy B ro a dca s t
Sy st em (N E BS )v ai the m e d ia ( te lev is io n an d ra d io) o rin ex tr e m e ci rc u m st ances,
v ia as ire n sy s te m .
T
and e rgency supplies to last at least hreedays.
The amount of time you have to evacuate will depend on the disaster. If the
ev e n t ac n b m o n it o red, li ke a hu rr ican e, yo u m i g ht ah ev ada
re a d y.H o w ev er ,e ve nt s s u ch a s f lash f l oo d s a n d e awrtroy qht au ko oset
d toneog t la lo w
na y
time for people to acquire even the most basic necessities, hence the need to prepare now.
Stay tuned to your local radio and television station for emergency broadcasts. 27
Planning For Evacuation
A s kt h eD e p art ment o f D is a s ter M a n ag em en t o r y o u r l ca lZ o n c o m m itt e e re pre se n tat iv esa b o u tcommunity

eva cu a ti on p lan s.I fy ou dono to w n a car , m ak etr a n spor t at io n arr a n g em e n ts w it hf a m ily o rf r ie n ds .
Ta lk w it hyou r hou se ho ld abou tt h e po s s ibili t yo fevacuation. Plan where you would go if you had to leave the
c om m un ity. Det er min eh ow yo u w o u l dge tthe r e.
P la n a p la ce t om e et y ou r hou s eh o l d in ca se y ou a re s e p ar ate d f ro m o n e a no t her in a dis a ste r .As k fri e n d o u t id

y o u r co m m un it y to b e t he " c he c k po in t"s o th a t e ve ryo n e in t h eh o us e h ol d c an call th a t p ers on t o say th e y a r esa fe.
A m d e
s se b le a i s a st e r su p p li s k it. In c lu d e a ba t ter y -p o we r ed ra di o , fla s hl igh t,ex t r a b a tteries, food, water and clothing.
See the E m erge n c yPl a n ning &D is a st e r Su pp lie s se c ti on for a c om ple te list ( Pag e 1 2 ) .
K fu yo
e ep e l in u r c a r i f a n evacuationseems likely. Gas stations may be closed during emergencies and unable to pump
ga s duri ng pow e r o u ta g e s.
Kn o w h ow to s h ut offy ou r ho m e 's ele c tr ic it y, g s and w a t er supp li esat main switches and valves. Have the tools you
w o u ld n e ed tod o th is (u sua l ly a dju st able pip e and c re sc en tw r e nches ).
What To Do When You Are Told To Evacuate
If o r deredto evacuate, you must do so immediately. Take note of those emergency shelters that have been declared
o p en .
Li t
in str u c t ed to evacuat eim m edia tey
l , ga th e r yo ur hou se h o ld an d g o . Ta ke one ca r p er h o u h o ld w h e n e vac ua tin g. Th i s
w i l k e e p yo ur househol d tog ethera n d redu c e tra f f icco n g es t io n a n d d ela y . In oth e rc a s es,y o u m a yh a ve tim et o fo l ow
t hese s te p s .
1. Gather water, food, clothing, emergency supplies, and insurance and financial records. See the Emergency
Planning a dn asiD ppuSrets sseil noitce Hsihtfo a
bdn .koo
2. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that provide some protection, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and a cap.
3 Secure your home. Close and lock all doors and windows. Unplug appliances.
4. T ur n offthe main water valve and electricity, if instructed to

do s o.
5. Let others know where you are going.

6. Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
28
7. F l ow rec omm en de d eva c u at i on r o ute s. D o no t tak e sh o r tc u t s; t h ey ma y be blocked. Be alert for washed-out
r oad s .Do no t dri ve in to f loo d ed are a s. Sta y aw ayf r o m d ow n edpo w er l in e s .
8 your Disaster Supplies Kit with you!
9. Take importan t papers with you, including your driver's license, special medical information, insurance
and
policies property inventories.
1.6 Recovering From A Disaster

T h is se c ton o f er s s ome g e ne ra la d vi ce onsteps to take, after disaster strikes, to begin putting your home, your
co mm unit y ,a nd you r lif e b a c k to n o rm a l.
H ealth an d S a fe ty
Y r first con c e rn aftera d isa steris your
hou se ho l d 's h ea l th and sa fe t y.
1. B e w ar e of n ew or s co n da r yh a zards
crea t b y th e di s ter . w a t c h f o r
washed out roads, contaminated
bu i ld in g s, c n tam ina te d wa t er, ga s
el ak s, b ro k en g l ass , d am ag ed wi r esand
slippery floors.3
2. Be aware of exhaustion. Don't try to do

t o o m u c h a tonce.Set priorities and
p a ce y o u rs el f.
3. a
ear sturdy work ts and gloves.

5. W a sh yo ur hands thoro ughly with
nad cle an water often when working
soap ed bris.
in
6. Inform authorities about health and
saf ty hazards , including
rele ases, dow ned power
out ro
cheam
dlics, smouldering insul
lines,w asdead animals.
ed
h
ation r
o 29
Returning To A Damaged Home/Building
R e tur n in g to a da m a gedhome can be both physically and mentally challenging. Be very careful when re-entering
y ou rh o m e/ b u il d in g .
 Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates.
 Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
Be f o re goin g nisdi ew, a l k c ar eful y
l ar u n d th e tsid o f yo ur h m e an d ch k fo r o l ose p o we r l n es ,g as lea k s n d
 s tru c tura l d ama ge .If you sm e l ga s,d o n o en terthe hom e - el a ve im m edia tely .D o no te n te r i f flo d wa t rs r em ai n
a rou n dt he b u li di ng. If you ha ve a ny do u bts about safet y, h av ey ou r h om einsp e cted by a p ro fesso i n a l befo r e
e
n te r i ng .
 If y o ur homewas damaged by fire, do not enter until authorities say it is safe.
 Check for cracks in the roof and foundation. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.
A b a t t er y -p ow e d fl a shl ghtis the be st so u r ce o f li g h t fo r i nsp ec n g a da m a ge d h om e . C AU T IO N : T he f l a sh lig h t
 s h o u ld b e tur ned o n o u tsid ebefo re enteri n ga d ama g ed hom e a sth e b a tt e ry m a y p r od u ce a sp ar kt h at co u ld ig nite
l ea k in g g as , i fpres en t,
Do n o t u e o i l, ga s la nt e rns , r c and le s for l ig h ting in s id ea dam age d hom e .L k in gg a s o r o t h fla m m able

 m at e ria ls m ayb epr e se nt .Dono t s m oke .Do n ot t ur no n t he li gh t s u n ti l yo u' res ur e t h ey 're sa feto u se .
 Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors.
 Watch out for dangerous insects. Use a stick to poke through debris.
 Ify o us m ell g as or h eara his sni g or bo l win g sou d, open a w indow an d l ea ve im m e dia te ly . T u rn of fth em an i ga s
v ve fro m th e ou tsd i e, fiy o u ca n. C all o
f r im dai te a ssis ta n ce – DO N OT U SE A C E LL PH O N E in the v ic inti yo f a
gas leak . Ifyo u s hut o fthe g as s up plya tth e ma n i valve , yo u m ay n e ed a p r of es so
i n a lt o t u rn i tb ac k o n.
Ch eck thee le ctrica l syste m w he re v si b i el a n d cces ib el . If yo us e s par k s, b roke n o r f ray e d w ire s, orify o u s m el
 h o t ins ula t ion ,turn o f fth e e le ct ri ci ty or th e m ain fu se boxo r c ric uit b re a ke r.If, h o w e ver , y o u are w e t,sta n d in g n
i
w a te r,o r un s ureo fy our s afe ty , do n ot touc h any thi ng el ectric al. L eav e th e b uild in g a nd se e k assis ta ncef r o m B V I
E l ec ic t C
tr i y o r poratio n .
 Ch eck a p plia n ce s.Ifa p p lai nc e sa re we t, turn -o ff th e e le ct ric ity at th e m a in fuseboxorcircui t b r e k er .U n p lu g
ap pli an ce s a n d letth e m dry o u t.H ave app li an ce s ch e ck e db ya p r o fe ss o i n al beforeusingthem ag ai n .A ls o h a vethe
e l e c ica l sy d b y a n e el ctr icia nb e fo re t ur n ni g t he p ow e r b a ck on .
tr stem c h ec k e
 Chec kthe wate ra n d s e weragesystems. If pipes are damaged, turn-off the main water valve.
 Clean and disinf ect e v erything that got w et . Mud left
behind by floodwaters can contain sewerage andchemicals.
t aweh ret te dets yb a u seitiroht ofeb uer is gn .
 Check with local authorities before using any water; it could be contaminated. Cisterns should be pumped out and
 Thr o w out fr esh food, cosmetics, and medicines that ha v e come

int o contact with floodwaters.
o tu lla s iop l de of o nad d doofyna t tah cepsusuoy imt g th b e iops
 Check refr gerated food for sp ilage; your pow r supply may have been disrupted during the emergency. Throw
 Call
l .deyour insurance agent. Take pictures of damage. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.
30
Disaster Assistance
T hro u gh ou tt h e r ec o ve r y pe rio d,i t 's im p o r t an t to m oni t rloca lr a io te le v i si on re p o r ts a n d o t h e rmediasources

f o ri n fo r m atio n ab o u t ho w to ge t em e rg e ncy hou si ng , food, fir st a id, clothi n g an d fin a n ci al a s s is tan c e .
C e ting p licies to direc assistance to individuals andfamil s ter a disaster event is the responsibility of the
W el af r e & R e iel f D istr b
i u ti on S u b -C om m i t eeo f th e N a tio na lD isaste rM an ag m e n tC ou n cil. O t he rv ol u n tar y
o rg an iz a to
i n s,su ch a s th eB VI R e d C r os san dt he A dv e nt is t Di sas terRe sp on se A ss oc ia t io n (A DR A), m a y a lso provide
foo d an d su p pil e s an d a sssi t cel a nu p ef o
f rts .
Inad dition, the So cial Development Department may be available to help people in shelters or provide direct
and
advice assistance to families.
Disasters And Mental Health
M o st p eoples h ow s i g ns of emotional str ess as an

nm
im ded
miatos t r co v e rs po n a en wroylsueo reaction tohti a disast er . Diff er ent people react eht diffeh eprl
o
entl s
. r
e ht
o f ynI f oitamro n o n sasi et r nas d em ehlatn l acht an ss
Howtsi do People React?
re li ef wo rke rs to iden t if ya d c o mm u ni cat be tt er w i th af ect d p s ons and to be alert for abnormal behaviour. It can
a lso as s ist i n ea rly t r eatm en t, th e r eb y in c rea s in g ch an ce so frec o very .
Phases of Reactions
(a) Pre-impact - The period when a disaster is known to be impending. Behaviour patterns vary but may include:
• Under activity
• Refusal to prepare for disaster impact
• Tendency to adopt an attitude that a disaster will not occur
• Anxiety
(b) W arni ng -T ha tp e rio d when a disaster is imminent and warnings are posted and announced. Some behaviour
pa tte rn s ma y incl ude :
• Frantic search for information on what to do to evade the impact
• Over acting, sometimes described as panic
• Restlessness
• Calmness
(c) Impact - The period during which the disaster event occurs. Some behaviour patterns are:
• A large portion of the population may be stunned, but most recover quickly
• A small portion show confusion, paralysis and anxiety
T her e is a h ar d c o reo f su r v iv o r sw h o r etai nt h e ir a w a ren e ss ,a p p r a th si tu at io n a nd d e cid e o n a ct io ns . This
• la s tg ro u p p ro vid es t hel ea d e rshi p, h elp s re lie v ed is tr es s a n d o rg an izes rescu e se rv ic e s a n d c o m m u n ic a tion s .
(d) Recov e ry- Im mediately after impact when individuals have had time to take stock of the situation. Some
r e ac ti o ns are :
• Gradual return to awareness, recall and emotional expression
• Emotions of fear, anger, loss of trust, dependency, and anxiety
• Alternative periods of crying and laughing
• Child-like dependency
• Positive and immediate actions
People w hos ur vive adisaster are strongly motivated not only to repair the damage done, but to bring something
positive out of the ruins.
How to Manage
Pr par tion is the key. Re tions to disaster are largely influenced by the psychological sta e the i dividual before
t h e d i sa s te r . T h e st ab il it y of th e ho m e, c om m u nity an d co u n t ry i s a lso a v e r ym
p e rs o n a lr eac t io n . P rep a ra tio n o f th e in d i vi du a l,l on g be f o r ed isa s te r st r ik es ,i s
pstoater ta nt tao i lfuceoncpn
ct orn iegh tpeofwith
te y emergencies.
t h eb e sto f rmofboostn i gh
temenatl
Measures Before Disasters
Provi d e asm u c h in for m at o n on di sa ster sa t t h e fa m ilylevel:

• W h ic h ha zar d sa re lik e ly to re su l t in disa s te r s?
• Possible effects.
• How to cope.
• Rehearsal of survival techniques.
• Family discussions of past disasters and their effects.
• Develop personal/family plan for dealing with disasters.
• O r g a nizegroup training sessions to demonstrate to the individual that he/she is not alone in the impending
d an g e r
Treatment After Disasters
Relie f wo r ke rs, fr iend s d fa m i ly canassist the individuals by:

• A l low in gr es t f ora fe w h ou rs
• Establishing close personal contact
• Encouraging emotional expression and airings of experiences
•• Organizing
C te r ingto the need for
survivors affected
into su portpersons
groups to
forbe given something;
treatment, food, a blanket,
encouragement clothing
and activity or simply
in relief a holding
programs. of
Do not
h an d s .
underestimate the power of prayer in a Caribbean Society.
• Explaining what has happened and the steps being taken
• Providi centralized treatment with other victims near disaster site. This helps individuals to feel part of a
group and enhances recovery.
32
The Emotionally Wounded
People ca n b e e m o tio na l ly u p set for long periods after disasters, and affected by such factors as:
• Se ri ou s n e ss of d i sa st e r
• Degree of disruption of personal connections
• Extent of disruption of pre-existing way of life
R es p on ses to dis f igurem e n t,d ism em be rm e n t o r mutilation ma y also add reactions. Some reactions
rare
e erelief,
lf c tni g afe eilnandgo fg oo d fo rtu ne . Th i s si s o o n replaced yb sensea of asperation,xe rfustration anger,or
i n ht os especially
e ol si ng f am i y
l, p ro pe rty o r b el ong i n g s .
Managing the Emotionally Wounded
Manage m e n tus u all yi nv o lve s soc ia l, p sy cho log i cal a nd s pi rit u a ls u p p r t w it h o pportunitiesfor expression,such as:
• S up p or tiv e re la t io n s hips ,w hic h w i l a l ow fe e li ng sora n xi e t y to b e te s te d
• Maintaining contact of individuals with their primary groupsand other familiarlinks
Coping with the Disaster
You should be aware of the signs that a person needs help in coping with the stress of a disasterevent.
1. Important things to remember when trying to understand a disaster event:

• No one who sees a disaster is untouchedby it
• It is normal for persons to feel anxious about their own safetyas well as that of their friends and family
• Profoundsadness, grief and anger are normal reactionsto a disasterevent
• Acknowledging your feelings helps you to recover
• Focusing on your strengths and abilities will also help you recover
• We each have different ways of coping with stress after a disaster
. Signs that adults may need crisis or ress management counseling:

• Difficulty communicating thoughts
• Difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty maintaining balance
• Easily frustrated
• Increased use of drugs and/or alcohol
• Very short/limited attention span
• Poor work performance
33
• Headaches and/or stomach problems
• Tunnel vision and/or muffled hearing
• Colds or flu-like symptoms
• Disorientation or confusion
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Depression and/or sadness
• Feeling of hopelessness
• Mood-swings and crying easily
• Guilt and self-doubt
Som ewa ys to ease disast er relat ed stress:

3. •Talk with someone about oury feelings even though it may be difficult - anger, sorrow,etc.
• Seek help from professional counselors who deal with post-disaster stress.
• D on't h o ldy o ur se lfresponsible for the disaster event or get frustrated because you cannot directly assist in
t h e re c o ve r y w ork.
• S ta y a c tive iny ou r dai ly routineto help promote your own physical and emotional healing (e.g. healthy eating,
e x e rc is e , r es t, re l a xa t io n) .
• Spend time with family and friends.
Children's Reactions to Disasters
Children show a rema kable resist ce to disasters. Those aff ec d, how ver, show temporary emotional upsets
manifested by insomnia, clinging to parents,dependency and fear. After disaste rs, childrenusually fear:
• Recurrence, injury or death.
• Being separated from parents.
• Being left alone.
How to Cope
These step sc a n h elp:

• K ee p t h e fa m ilytogether. Avoid leaving the child alone.
• Give assurance by word and deed.
• Listen to what a child says about his/her fears.
• Encourage the child to talk about his/her reactions to the disaster.
• Include children in cleaning up activities.
• Pare n t s m u st c t ro lthe ir o w n fe arsand seek professional help if:
- S lee p in g p roble m i s pro lo n ge d .
- Clinging behaviour does not diminish
- Fears become worse.
For more information please contact the Mental Health Unit at: (284) 494-3472
34
Community Disaster PreparednessGuide
1.7 Emergency Sheltering
O ne o f th ere a lit ie s of em e r ge nc ie sa n d d isas te r s ofal l k nd s is tha t p e o p l m a y b efo c e d to le a v et h ei r h om e ; f ir st ly ,
b e c a use o ft h eth rea to f a ha z a rd im p a ct or sec ond ly,the ir hom es ma y h a ve be e n des troy ed or d a m a ged e x t en sive ly b y
the event.
She tl er a basic human nee . In addition to water, food, h lth and person l care, sh ter is crucial to survival in an
em e rgen c y or d isa ste r . In ad dit i o n to s ur vi v al, go od s h elt erpr om ot e s the m a in te n a nce of he a lth and safe gu ar dsthe
p opu lat ion f ro mt he po t en t ia lne g at ive im p a cts o f exp osure to t he phys ica le n viro n m en t. H owe ver , em e rg e n cy
s l not expected to become permanent h mes for evacuatedpersons.
S
helters are st ru c tu r al ly soun d b uild in gs ,i n s a fe loca t ions tha t a re d es i gnated inthe planning stages of Disaster
Ma n ag e m ent Pr o gr am m se to h o u sevi c ms o f a n e me r g cn yor d i sa s ter a top r ov id e for t h ei rim m ed iate ne eds .
Th e p e ri od of c th f cl s ua l a v bri x e din no t m o re tha n a fe w da ys, bu tm aybe
o cupation at ese a i itie is us ly ery ef one e t n g
lengthened depending on the severity of impact on the affected community.
She tl ering in a national em gency shelter shoul be your last resort. Persons sh ld always make prior
a rr an g e me n ts t o seek s he lte r a ta fa m i ly or fr ien d f i rs t -it w ou l d b emuchmore comfortable. However, if you have to
e v a c u a te t o a pu bli c s he lt er ,yo u sh o uld fo llo w t h egu idelin es be lo w :
•B aw a re o f em er ge nc y sh e lte r s lo c a t ed i n yo ura r e a,th i s

i nfo r m at io n c an beh ad fr o m you Zo na l Co m m itt ee o rt he
Department of Disaster Management.
• D o n ot at tem p to see k r efu g e i n a sh elteru ess notified b

oyia u thi r t ies th at bt h a s lye eopened.
no ff ic i al
• L is ten fo r ev ac u ation ad vi c e a ndleave promptly when

a d vi s ed by au th o ri ti es to do s o .
• Re c og n iz t h a ta publ ic sh e lte r 's pr i m ar y f u nc t io n i s t o

p r o v i d e refu g e, th t is, ar o of ov er yo u rh ea d . Fo o dand
blankets may not always be available.
• Pet s,w ea p o ,al c oh olic bev e rag e sa nd n a rc o t ics w i l N O T

a ll ow e d ina she l te r. Ci r c u m s ta nc e s m a y a lso re quir e a
ban on cigarette or cigar smoking.
• Ifa t a l p os s ib le , m e a rr a nge m en ts to s t ay wi th af riend.

W he rev e ryo u go ,tak e pro v is io ns w ith you .R em em b
you are not ju st a g uest but also a shelteree.
the shelter in any way you can.
Help others in
35
Before you Leave
• Be sure your family is well fed before you take them to the home of a friend or to a public shelter.
• F il as m a ny c o n ta in er s a s po s ib le w ith w a te r a nd s tor einthe refrigerator. Fill bathtub and washing machine

with w at e r .(Y o u m ay ne ed t hiss u pp ly w he n yo u r etu rn .)
• Sh ut ff w a te a nd e lec t ri c ity a t th i rm a in s w i tc hes .D o n otto u ch any e l e ct ri c a l e quipment unless it is in a dry

a re a ory o u are s t an d i ng o n a pie ceof d ry wo od w ith ru b b er fo ot we a r an d glov es .
• Shut off valve of propane gas tank. Leave outside and anchor securely
• Lock windows and doors
• Bring pets inside if you remain at home
• Have plenty of newspaper for sanitary purposes. Feed pet's moist or canned food to preserve water.
• If y o u d ecid e t o ev acua te ,r e m e m be r sh e lte r s wi l n o t ta ke pe ts . Ifpo s si b le ,a r a n g e t olea v e yo u r t sw ith a
fri e n d o r r el ea se p i ns id e h o u se . Do n ot leav an y pet o ut s id eor t ied u p d uri n g a hu rr i c a ne . L eavpl ent y of
water. Remove toilet tank lid and raise toilet seat so pet can drink. Brace bathroom door to stay open.
T ak esm lv a u l bl e sa n d th e f ollow in g i m po rtan tpa p er s bu t ra v el il gh :D r v

i e r'sLi c ns or o th e r
• d
i ntfi ciatio n , bank bo o k /c ad s,i n su ra n cepo licies, p ro p er tyinv e ntor y an dp ho tos ,d ev iceo co n v eyspecial
m ed cia l n
i f o rm a to
i n . S h elte rm an age r sw ill no tbe r e s p on sible o
f r the sto ra ge of v alu a bleit em s .
36
When YouLeave
Leave e a rl y , in d a yligh t i f p os si b le.

• A v o id a lr ady fl oode d are a s.Do not attempt to cross any stretch of floodwaters on foot if the water is above
y o u r kn ee s
• Do no td ri ve whe r e wat er i s ove r r oad s o r u nd er f lo o d w at er s, th e r o a d co u ld a lr ea d y b e washed way. The rising

w at ers co u l d lif t yo u r ca ran d carry it aw ay … an dn o o n e co uld d o a n y thi n g to he l p y o u .
• Drive carefully: do not travel farther than necessary. Roads may be jammed or blocked.
T a ke e xt rap r e cau tio ns fiy o u ar et o l d toe vac u a t n ig h t .N igh tda rkne s sh i des th e f lo od d a n g ers. If yo u
• su d de nly find yo urs e fl driv ing th ro u gh lfo w ater sa n d yo ur c ar s ta l s, get ou t im m ed ia t el y a n d climb to higher
g ro u n d . As tr an d ed a uto c ou ld b ec om ea coff in.
Wh you h avef o und a s afe r e fug e ,st a y p ut !M a ny p eo p le

• h a velo s t th e i r liv e s t ry ing t og o f ro m o n e p lac e to an o th e r,
• Register each member of your group as soon as you enter the shelter.
• If conflicts arise between shelter occupants, the shelter manager will decide the course of action.
• Remember ''keeping the shelter facility clean and sanitary is everyone's job."
Items To Take To An Emergency Shelter:
• Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses.
• Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, etc.
• Folding chairs, lawn chairs or cots.
• Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.).
• Quiet games, books, playing cards and favorite toys for children.
• Important papers (driver's license, special medical information, insurance policies and property inventories).
• Portable radio and batteries.
• Flashlights and batteries.
• A 24-hour supply of food (non-perishable can foods).

37
Disaster Preparedness Guide
2.0 Natural Hazards Affecting The BVI
2 . 1 F loo d s
Fl o o ds ar e oneofth e s tcom mon hazards worldwide. More importantly are Flash Floods, which can develop very
q u ick l y - in u
j stafe w min u tes .
What to do before a flood
1. Know the terms used to describe flooding:
Flood Wa t ch - Fl o od i n g is po s s ib le . S tay t u ned to th e l oc a lr a d i oortelevision station for information. Watches

ar e is su e d1 2 to 3 6 ho u rs in a dv an ce o f ap o s s ibl ef lo od i n g e v en t.
Flash Flood Warning - A flash flood is impending. Seek higher ground on foot immediately.
2. A s k lo c a l of fi a lshether
w your property is in a flo d-prone or hi h-risk area. (Remember that floodsoften
o c cu r o uts id e h ig h -riskarea s). As kab ou tof f ic ia l fl oodwarning signals and what to do when you hear them. Also
a s k h o w y o uca n p rotecty ourh omefro m floo d ing .
4. B e p re p a re d to ev acu a te. Lea rn you r co m m unity' s flood evacuation routes and where to find high ground. See
t h e 'e v ac u a tio n' s e ct io n fo r i m po r t ant in fo rm ation .
5. T a k
l t o y our ho h o ld ab out flood i ng . P lan apal c e to mee t yo u r
h o use h o l din case y ou a re sepa r at ed fr om one ano ther ina d is a ster
a n d c an no tr e turn h o m e .C os e ar ela ti ve o r rf ie nd th at the fa m iy
l
may contact to say they are okay.
6. Determine how you would care for household members who may
li v e lse w h ere b m ig h t n eed yo u rh e l p ina flood. Determine any
sp ec ia l n e ed s y our ne ig hb o r s m i g ht h av e.
7.
P re p a r t o su rv iv eo n y o u ro w n of r at el a st th r eeda ys . A ss em b l a
d is as t s u p pl y k ti .K ee p a st ock of o
f o d and e xt ra drin king water.
S e e t he“E m e rge ncy P la nni n g and Disa ste rSup pl ei s”s e ct io n f or
more information (page 12).
8. Kno w how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and
v a vl es .
9. Consider purchasing flood insurance
38
10. Some optio s to c nsider protecting you property:
a. M a k e a r ecor d of yo u rp e rsonalproperty. Take photographs or videotapes of your belongings. Store these
do c u m en t s in a sa f e pl ac e
b
home.
. Avoid building in a flood prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
. Elevate your water heater and electric panel to higher floors or levels if they are susceptible to flooding.
e
What to do During a Flood
1. Be aw are of fl ash f lood s .I f there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not
w ai t fo r in stru ct ion s t omov e.
. Be aw of ghuts or drainage cha nels and other areas known to flood suddenly, as flash floods can occur in
these areas with little warning signs.
4. If local authori i seissue a flood watch, prepare to evacuate:

• Se cu re yo ur hom e. If y o u h ave ti m e , tie down or bring outdoor equipment and lawn furniture inside. Move
esse n tia li tem s to the u p p e r l eve ls .
• I f in s tr u ct , tu r n o ff ut il it ie s at th e m a in sw i tc he s o rv alves. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch

ele c tr ic a lequi p m e nt i fyo u a re w et o r st an din g i n w a t e r.
• F i l th bat h tub or c lea n con t aine rs w ith w at e r in c a s e w a ter becomescontaminated or services cut off.
Befo ref il lin g t he tu b , s te r il ize i t wi th a di lu te d b le a c h s ol ut i on .
5. D not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your fe t. If you must walk in a
f l odedarea, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of
you .
6. Do not drive int flooded a eas. Six inches of water will reach t e bottom of most p ssenger c s causing los of
c on t r ol a ndpos si b l es ta l l ing . A fo o t o fw a terw il f l o at m an y ve hic l e s. Tw o fe et o f w at e w i l wash away almost
a l veh ic le s . If floo dw at ers r ise a ro und yo u rc ar,aba n d on t h e c a r an dm ov e to h igh e rg ro und . IF you can do so
safely. You and your vehicle can be quickly swept away as floodwaters rise.
7. See the “Evacuation” Section (page 27) for important information.
39
What to do After a Flood
1. A voidfl oo dw a te rs. Th e wa t e rm a y b e conta m in ated by oil, gasoline or raw sewerage. The water may also be
el e ct rica l ly ch a rg ed f rom dow nedp owe r lin es .
2 Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company.
3. Avoid moving water. Moving water only six inches deep can cause you to lose your footing.
4. Be aware of areas where floodwatershave receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight
of acar.
5 Stay away from designated disaster areas unless authorities ask for volunteers.
6. R etur n ho m e o n ly w he n a u t h or i tie s in dic a t ei t issa fe. Stay ou t of buil dings if surr ounded
extrfloodwaters.
by em e c a ut io nUse
w h en e nt e rin g bui ldin g s.T he remay be hidden damage, particularly in oundations.f
Con si deryo urfam ily's health and safety nee ds:

7. • Wash hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in contact with floodwaters.
• Throw away food that has come in contact with floodwaters.
• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
• Listen to news reports for information about where to get assistance for housing, clothing and food.
• Seek necessary medical care at the nearest medical facility.
. Service damaged septic nks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewerage
systemsare a serious health hazard.
9. Also, dra ni and clean cisterns as they may also be contaminated.
10. Con ta c t y our insurance agent. If your policy covers your situation, an adjuster will be assigned to visit your home.
To pr epa re :
• Takephotosof your belongings and your home or videotape them.
• Separate damaged and undamaged items.
• Locate your financial records.
• Keep detailed records of cleanup costs.
40
2.2 Hurricanes
A h u rr ic an i s ase ver e tro p ica l st o rm th at for m si nt he
S ou th er n Atal n tic O ce an , C ar ibbea n Sea , and G u flo fM exicoor
i n th e Ea st ern Paci fi cO cea n. F or h u r ric an es to o f rm, th ey
need warm tropical oceans moisture and li winds ove
th e m. I f the r ig ht c on d ti ons la st lon g e n o u gh, a hu r ric an e
c a n produ c ev io le n t w ind s ,in cred i b le w a v e s t,o r e n ti a l r ains
a n d flood s .
H u r ric ane s rotat e in acount er clockwise

e" ye," w it hw sdni o f a t 7tsael 4 repselim
dir ection ar ound
oh ehT.ru er oera
an average six (6 A) lt antic ruh aci
n
hcaesn y ae revo;r 3a aey-
r
period.
When h ricanes move inland, the heavy ain,strong wi s and he vy

w ave s ca n d am a g e bu i ld i n g s, t r e es a nd c a rs . Th e h ea v y w av e s a re ca l ed
S to rm S u rg e , w h ic h i s v er y d a n g e ro u s a n d am a jo r r e a so n w hy y ou MU STstay
away from the ocean during a hurricane warning or hurricane.
HURRICANE GLOSSARY
• Tropical storm: Tropical cyclone with winds of 39 to 74 mph.
Tropi ca lW a v e :A k ink or b n d in th e norm al ly st raig h t flo w o f surf ac ea ir i n t h t ro p ic s,w h ich fo r ms a lo w

• p re s sur et ro u g h, or p r es su re b ou nd a ry , an d sh ow er s a ndt h un der storm s. Ca nd evel o p in t o atr op ica l cy cl o ne.
• Tr o pic a l c yc lo n e: A low - p re s sur w e a ther sys te m in wh ic h th e c e ntr a l co r e is w a r m er th a n the s ur rounding
a tm o s p he re . T h e e rm " tro p ical cyc lo n e" i sal so u sed in t h e In d ian O ce an an d ar o un d the C o ra l Sea of f
northeastern Australia to describe storms called "hurricanes" and "typhoons" in other areas.
• Tropical depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds near the surface of less than 39 mph.
• Hur ric an e :A tr opica l c l on ew ith win ds of 7 4 m p h o r m or e . Normally applied to such storms in the Atlantic
B a sin an d th eP a c ific Ocean ea s tof th e In te rn at io n a lD ate L in e.
Tropical Storm
•• Tropical Alert:
Storm All Tropical
Clear: storm conditions
This means (34-73
that the storm hasmph) arearea,
left the expected withinshould
but caution 48 hours.
prevail. 41
Community
• Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions (34-73 mph) are expected within Disaster Preparedness Guide
36 hours.
• Hurricane Alert: Hurricane conditions are possible (winds greater than 73 mph) within 48 hours.
• Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible and may threaten land within 36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning: Hurricane winds conditions are expected to make land-fall within 24 hours.
• Hurricane All Clear: This means that the hurricane has left the area, but caution should prevail.
• Sto rm sur ge :Thed ome of w at e r bu ild s up s a h u r ri c an e m o v es ove rwater.As this water comes ashore
w i th the sto r m ,i tc au s esf lo od ing that i s us ua l ya h ur r ic a n e ' s b igg e s t k i l e r.
• Eye: The low-pressure center of a tropical cyclone. Winds are normally calm and sometimes the sky clears.
• E ye wa l : T he r in g of th un de r st o r m s thatsurrounds a storm's eye. The heaviest rain, strongest winds and worst
t u r bu l ence a r en o rm al ly i n t he e ye wal l.
• Knot: A measu e of spe d. It is one nautical le p r h ur. Never refer to ''knots per hour" unless you want to
d e sc r ib e a c c e le r a on .A n a u t ica lm i le i so n e m in ute
of oor ned
deingarer y,eof o
o
l nr g tistudea tua n
tedi,s l ig mhi ltelyulosneg erdth i na nththee Un i te d S t a te s .
muloctiplyonver tna by
T utcia lm1.15.liesto T mo iles o
convert
r k no ts t omi mlesile s p ertoh our,
nautical miles
or miles per hour to knots, divide by 1.15.
• Millibar: A metric measurement of air pressure.

• Barometric Pressure: is defi d as atmospheric pressure i.e. the force ex ert d on a surf ace of unit area caused
by t he we ig ht oft h eair c ol um n b ov e, norm a l y a t 1 01 3 .2 mil lib ars a t sea level. It indicates the presence and
m ov em ent o fw ea the rpa tte r n san d a fe c ts m an y ph y s ic a lm eas u rem ents .
• N or th A tl ant icB asi n (s om e tim es c a lle djust the "Atlantic Basin): The Atlantic Ocean north of the equator,
t h eC ar ibb e an S ea ,an d th e G ul fo f M e xic o .
42
Things To Do At The Start Of The Hurricane Season
1. C heck on th esee m e rg en cy it em s: w ater , boot s , ra inco at s, flashlights and batteries, battery powered radio,
ba tte ry - po wered lam p, m atch es,h ur ri can e shutt er s , e tc.
2 Clear all limbs and rotten tree branches.
3. DO NOT attempt to cut branches or trees that may fall on the wires.
. Have on hand simple First-Aid supplies.
6. Stock up on 4-5 days supply of food that does not need cooking or refrigeration.
7 Open flame lamps and candles creat a p biso fireel hazard. Use flashlights
batteryor powered lamps.
8. Be sure you have adequate insurance coverage.
9. Check your roof annually orf loose screws or nails and damaged roof sheeting. Repair and replace according
to the BVI Building Code.
10. For y r Business - take the necessary precaut ns. If a storm threatens, secure your building. Cover
windows and cover and move equipment/furniture to a secure area.
11. ALWAYS protect your data with backup files. If d pendent on data processing, consider storage at an
alternate site. Also, make provisions for alternate communications and power.
What To Do When A Hurricane Watch Is Given
STORM WARNING FLAG
• L is te n forw e at he ru p dates on the local radio and television stations. Don't trust rumours, and stay tuned to
t h e la tes ti nf o rm ati o n .
• Check your disaster supplies kit. Obtain any needed items.
• Refill prescriptions. Maintain at least a two-week supply during the hurricane season.
• Clear yard of potential flying debris. E.g. patio furniture, potted plants, bicycles and trash cans.
Clean containers
• person, foralldrinking
per day for uses. water and your bathtub for storing clean water. Plan on three gallons per 43
• Pr o te ct y our w in d ow sa n d gla ss d o o rs.If s hu tter s h a ve no t be en in st a l ed , yo u may a ls ou se p re -cutp lyw o o d.
N O T E:ta p e d oe s n tpr e v en t w in d o w from br aki n g , so tap ing w in dow sis n ot re comm en de d .S e e' m e th o d s
of
• Fi ll y ou r car'sgas tank and check oil, water and tires. Remember that gas pumps don't operate without
e le c tr i ci ty .
• If you own a boat, secure it early. See section for Fisherman and Boaters on Page 20.
• Leave the swimming pool filled and super-chlorinated. (cover the filtration system)
• G et ca sh. Ba n k s and AT M won't be in operation without electricity and few stores will be able to accept credit
c a rds or p e rs o na l c he c k s.
When the Hurricane Warning is Given
• Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so
• Complete preparation activities. Make sure your windows are protected and home secured.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, and away from windows.
• C h e ckyour disaster supplies kit. Also make sure you have at least a two-week supply of non-perishable
fo ods .
• D u rin g t h es to rm ,sta y in side an d a way from w ind ow s ,sk y lig h ts a n d gla s sdoors.Find a safe area in your
h o m e –a n int er ior,r e inf orc ed r o o m , closet or ba t hr oom o n t h e lo w e r fl o o r.
• Wait for official ward that the dange is over. Don't be fooled by the storm's “ ye”. Be aware that the “ ye” of
hu r r ica n e isd ec ep ti ve ; i s no o v e r . T hew o s t partofthe hurricaneoccu rs oncethe
t hew in ds b lo w f ro m t he oppo s it e d irec t io n .T r e e s,shrubs,buid lni gsand other obejcts
winds
ey e p a ss es ocan be further
v erand destroyed by the second winds.
d a m a ged by th e fi r st
• If you lose power, turn off major appliances to reduce the possibility of damage.
• Be alert for storm surges that may result in further damages to properties along the seashore.
44
Evacuation
See the “Evacuation” section of this handbook on Page 27.
P ro te c t You r H om e
Th er e are s om e s pe cifica tions you should take to make your home safer. You may feel more comfortable with an
e xp e rien ce d in sp ec tor ,a r ch i te c t,e ngineer or contractor inspecting your home. Whatever choice you make, take time
t o d ot is a nd w e l b efo re t he s torm .
(1) To w iths tand the forc es of w ind an dw ater associat ed with severe weather, there are
threeroof bracing;
(3) major (2) entry
considerations: doors; and (3) window protection.
Roof
D u ring ahu rr ic a n e eve nt ,t he fo rc e ft h ew in d s pus h es a gai n stt h e ou t si d e ofy ou r hom ea n d si p a sse d a lo ng fro m
yo ur r oo f t oth e e x te r i o rwa l ls an d fou n da tio n .Th e ty p e o f ro of,a n d t he w a y it is con s t ructe d ,ma k es a b ig d i fe r e nce.
I h u rri c an e st ra p swhen your house is being built. It can be a somewhat tedious process if they are to be
installe d a f te r th e fa c t.
Ch ec k yo u r ro o f a nnually for loose screws and nails and damaged roof sheeting. Repair and replace according to the
B VIB u il d ing C od e .
Entry doors
E ntr yd o o rs areeasily damaged by high winds. Bolt all doors with foot and head bolts with a minimum one-inch bolt
throw le n g t h .
Windows
P ro e ctin g yo u rw in dow sis pe rh aps on e of the most important factors in securing your home or office from total
d e str u ct io n i n a hu rr i c aneor se ve r e s t orm .
• Make sure all doors and windows are properly caulked and/or weather-stripped.
• Co v e ra l lar ge w i ndowsand glass doors with securely fastened, impact resistant shutters with proper
m o u nt ing fix t u res .
45
Methods of Window Protection Include:
• Pl y wo o d sh ee ts (at le as t 5 /8 ' )are in exp e n si veb ut d if i cu l t to h an dl e a n d in s tall.They should be pre-

m e a s u re d, p r e-dr ille d , lab e l ed ds o r t e d w h e th ey ca nbe in s t a le d q u ic k ly.
Sh u te r sofef r goodw in dow p ro t ec tio n, bu t m ke su re t h ey are s tro nge n ou g h to w ith s n d a ir- bo rn de bris.
• S eelp a nelsa r ec o st effe c t v i e a nd te nd to be eas i er to ha n d le an d sto re th an p l yw ood . Col o ni al a nd Baham ai n
sty le shu t te rso ffe r c onv e n ienc e of m inor pre pa rato i n an d no s to ra g e, "R o l d ow n" sh u tter system o f ef r
pr o t ec tio n wi thlit t le m ain te n anc e: h oweve r ,a m o to r e d sy st e m is m or e x pe ns iv e th an the a lt er n a tive s .
C h oo ses h u tter stha tp a ss b o th thesm all and la rg e mis si le im p a ct te st ses p e c ia lly o n th e1 sta n d 2 n d fl o ors,
In ad d it io n to sh u t ter s , i m p a ct re sist a nt w nd o w an d c urity fi lm s,n e w pr o d uc ts ha v e b e en de v elo p ed to

• p ro t e cty o ur wi n do w and d o o rs in clu d in gim p a ct r e sistan t "s cre ens" a n d fle x ib le w i n d -a b a t em e n t b ar r ier s.
When Building or Remodeling
1. W hen ep a iri n g y ou r r o o f,c h e c k th e d ecking.Make sure it is secure and nailed properly. Install roof covering
t ha ti sra te d fo r h u r rica n ef o r c e wi n d s.
2W
3. Building a new home? Consult with authorities on hurricane protectionoptions.
Contact the Building Authority at the Public Works Department for assistance (284) 494-2722
S af et y Ti ps an d Pr e ca ution s fo r B u si n e ss E stab lis hm en t s

U se th e fo l ow in g ch e c k list t o pr e p ar e a b usin e s s Disa s te r Re coveryPlan:
Have your building (s) inspected by a licensed professional to find out if your workplace is vulnerable to hurricane
Know Your Risk
force winds and hatw is ecommendedr ofitetrrot .
Take The Necessary Precautions
1 If a storm threatens, secure your building. Cover windows. Cover and move equipment/furniture to a secure area.
2. Al w ays p ro tect yo u r da ta w it h b ack up fil e s .I f dependent on data processing, consider an alternative site. Make
p ro v i sio ns fo r al t e rna t ec o mm u n ic a ti onp ow e r.
3. Make pla ns to w ork with limited cash and no water, sewerage facilities or power for two weeks. Store emergncy
supplies at the office.
46
. Em oyee safety comes first!
2. P re pa r e, dis t r ibu t e,an d exe rcise y our business
ehum
rricanpel oye e s and t he ir f a m il i es dna h ple plan for r eco very . Consider pr oviding olpmsheegltni
er to ht
i
w s
e e
y ppus l sei a et
f r eht s
Em
. r
os
t bat l rahsi e zedn
v s point
a n d tim e of r employees in ca des am ga revesie mocdnae m nu ic ta io sn a
. Share
s u p pli your
er s communication and drecovery plan in advance. Prepare a list of vendors to provide disaster recovery
er i .detpurs Con oyctat ucru
services.
tosmers and
3 o r e la te hu rric an e int
T ensity to damage potential, the National
sa s ig n s sto rms to five categories—Category beingOne
Hurricane Centr e uses minimum-strengtha
the Saffir/Simpson Scale, whichhurricane
Whatand Damage Can You Expect
evFiegoryCat being the
worst type.
A fter a dis aster , yo u m ay be without power, water , food

oresponser
any of the may services not be
and possible,
businesses esidentsrso must
we rely be eparedpr
on. Immediate
After the
to beStorm Passes
self-reliant orf eeks.walervse
B E PATIE NT . Acces s to f e te d ar ea s w il lbe c o nt r ol ed .Yo w o n't b e a b l e o r etu rn t o y o urh o me u ntil s ea r ch

• a n d r e sc u e op eration sare co m p le t ed and s afe ty ha za r ds , suc h a sd o w n ed tr ee s an dp o w e rl in e s, a re clea r ed.
Re-Entry
• S ta y tun ed toy our loc al rad oo r T V s ta t ion for ad vi c ea n d i ns t r u ctions
a b o ut e m erg e n c ym edica l aid , foo d an do t he r fo r m s o f a s sis t an c e .
• H a v e a pi c reID on your person. Security operations may include
c h e c k po in ts.
• A v oid dr i vin g . R oad s w il h a v e d e b ris, w hic h ca n pun c tur ey o ur ti re s! Do n't
a d d t o the c o ng e s t ion ofs u p p ly a n d re lie f w or k er s ,l aw enf o rc eme nt,e t c.
• Don't sightsee, especially at night.
• U sec a u tio n befo re e t er in g y o u rbu s i nes s.C h e ck f o rd o w n edp ow er lines,
g a s le a ks a nd s u ct ura ld a m a g e.I f any elec tr ical eq ui p m e n t is w et ,
contact an electrician.
• P rep a re lo ss in fo rm at ionfor insurance claims and get independent
est i m at es ofd am a ge s.
• Take pictures before cleanup.
• Minimize additional damage.
47
For Your Safety
1. Avoid downed or dangling utility wires, especially when cutting or clearing fallen trees. Metal fences may
have been "energized" by fallen wires.
2 Beware of snakes or ni sects driven to higher groun by flo ds.
3. Enter your home with caution. Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry yourhome.
4 fI the has been flooding, have an electrician inspect yo hom roe of ecif b or ute
gninr on the breaker.
5. B e ca r efu l wi t h fir e .Do n o ts tr ik ea m a t ch u n ti lyou are sure there are no breaks in gas lines. Avoid candles.
Us ba tt ery -op era te d fl s hl ig h st an dl a n te rn s instead.
6. Keep grill s outdoors in a wel l-ventilated a rea .
7. Use your telephone only for emergencies to keep lines open for emergency
communications.
Table 1: Hurricane Categories
48
Generators
In ord er to ensure that you have electric power after a disaster event, you should consider investing in a portable
g en er ator .
Generators ca run appliances and fans. Sizes range from 750 watts whic will run a fan and a light, up to 8000 watts
which ll practically run a house (except for the air co itioner). Refrigerators require 400-1000 watts. If you have
lo s tpow e r, d o n 't c on n ec t a p o rta b le ge ne rato rt o b u i ld in gw i ring u nle s s th eu n ithas b e e ninst all e d an d in s pec ted b ya
l ci e nse d ele c tr ciia n (t h i sc o u ld i n ju re o r ki l n ig h b ou rs o r ele c r ic a l repa ir c re ws ) .Pl u g a i a c e ,e t c ,.d ire c tly i nt o
g e n e r a t o r, p lac e g en er a tor o u t d oo rs o rin aw e l l- ve n tila ted a re a. D on 't fo r g e t to c h ec k the o il ev ery ti meyo u ad d f uel.
Con s e rv e fu e lb y a l te rn a tin g ap p l ia nc es. Fo r e xam p le,r ef r ig er a to rs can be k ep tco olb y sup plyi ng pow er e ig ht h ou rsa
day.
Using a Generator
F ol th e di r e c t ion s s p li d w it h t h e g en erat or.U n d ern ocircu m st ce s sh ouldp orta ble generator b u s e d

in d oo rs , i nc l ud i g i ns id e a g a r a ge . A d equa te ven til at io n is n ece s sa ryand pro p e rr e fuelin g prac tices, asd es c r ib edin
t h e o w n er 's m anu a l , m ust b e fo l ow e d .
B h e t
e s u ret o t t e g en r a or co ol d ow n b ef re re f u elin g .S t o re fue l fo r th e ge neratorin an approved safety can. Use the
ty p e o f fu elreco m m end ed in th e in s tr u c tion so ro n t h el ab e l of t he g en e ra t o r.
Repairs
• Make tempo ary repairs to correct safety hazards and minimize further damage. This may include covering
holes in the roof, walls or windows and debris removal.
• Take photographs of all damage before repairs and try to keep receipts for insurance purposes.
• After ssessing damage to your home, contact the Build g Authority and th Town and Country Planning
Dep artment fo r fo ma t ion onr e qu ir ed p erm i ts . P e rm it s are a l wa ysre q u ir e d fo r a n ykindof demolition or
p erm an entre p airs ,re c ons t ru c tio n ro o f in g ,fi lin ga n d othe rt y pe s o fsit e d e v e lo pm e n t.
Do not
W h ene verw i d es p r ead flo od in g o c cu r s, th e re is a p ot en t ia l f or b a c ter i alc o ntam in ati o n. B a c te r ia, su ch as sh ig el laa n d
sa l m onela ,ca n le ad t oli fe t h re a ten ingd eh y dr at io n fo rp eop le a nd the irp e ts i fu n tre a te d by an tibi ot ic s.D isi n fec t a n y
tWater
pa Purification
w a te r you d rin ko r u fo rc oo k ing or cle a n in g .Y o u m ustp u r ify th e tap w ate u n t il o f i cialsn o t if y yo u ofit s s a fe ty.
Br in g w ate r t o a r o li ng boil for 1 0 m i nu te s o r us e c h e m ica l s( e ight dr o ps of ch l ori n eble ach ri o dine p er g lo n ) o r
w a te r p u r if ic a ti o n tabl etsas dire cte d. Le t w ater sit at le ast 10 minu tes befo re usin g. Water
yocounst a in eavedin
r sb e fo rcle
e the an
storm will be fine for 2-3 weeks. To be sure, add two drops of chlorine
or iodine per gallon
49
before drinking.
Advice For Senior Citizens
elderly ar es ecially vulnerable to disaste and e ergency events.
T h ose w h o liv e o ne ,or ar e w i tho u t t h e su pp o rt of fa m i ly orfr i end s,
m u st ta k e sp e cial p r ec aution sin t h eev e nt o f a n em er g en cy situa t i on.
P plew hoar e afr li or d is ab l ed(e i h et rm e ntally o r ph y sic a l y) m a y

n e d sp ecial a ssist ance fr om fam i y l m em be rs,fr ie n ds or so cials er v ice
agen cie s.Sen io rs, w hoa re also careg ive r s, m ay re q u ire ou tside
assi
e p e r
s e nior pers
f on p lives
s in a
n contacted
ursi ng hom to e,learn theabout
adm inis tratorshould be
the disaster plan for that facilty.
Care for Home-Bound Persons
1. Notify your care giver where you will be during a hurricane and when care can be re-established.
2. If you are homebound and under the care of a physician, and do not have a home care provider, contact your
physician.
3. If you require respirators or other electr medical equipment, you should make prior medical arrangements with
your physician. You should also register in advance with your local power company.
4. If you require oxygen, check with your supplier about emergency plans.
5. If you evacuate, reme er to take medications, written instruct ns regarding your care, your walker, wheel chair,
cane or special equipment along with your bedding and other disaster supplies.
6. If you will need assistance in evacuation, please contact the Department of Disaster Management.
50
3. Earthquakes & Tsunamis
Earthquakes
The Puerto/Virgin Islands region is locate at the North astern cor r of the Caribbean Plate (te onic plate)where
t heN ort h A m eri can Pla t e m e ets an d s ild es pa ss it, ni a reg ion k no wn asthe Puert oT re nch( th e de e p est t re n c h i n the
A tal nticO c e an ) cau s n
i g str e ss b u ild -up a nd re lease. T h si m ov e m e n t islar gel y resp o nsib le for m u c h o fthe fr e q ue nt
se m ci a ct v
i ityo r ea t hq u ake s o ccur rn i g in n dar u nd t he et r ri to r y.
With this in mind, persons need to know what to do to prepare for these events.
In Preparing for Earthquake Events:
Have b si e m e rge ncy supp l ies, in c lud i ng a p o r ta b le r a dio an d f l a hli g h t, pl u st h efo l low i n g:
• W a te r (2 q t . p er pe r s on )an dd r ied or c a nn e d foo d s (2 w eek s' su p ply p erp e rs on ) an d 2weeks' supply of
m ed ica t io n s
• F st Aid Kit and handbook
• Pipe or crescent wrenches (to turn off gas and water if necessary)
• ap, toilet paper
• Smoke detectors, fire extinguisher/s
• Extra clothing, blankets and/or sleeping b gs
• Personal items (including valid ID) and a large piece of plastic (for use as ground cover)
Avoid having bookshelves and file cabinets near doorways. If fallythe and are heavy, they can block
escape routes.
1. Protect your head and face.

During An Earthquake, Keep Calm. Panic Kills!
2 you are in a wheelchair when the earthqu ke begins, lock your whe s.
3. If inside a building, stand in a strong doorway, or get under a sturdy desk, table or bed.
4 Avoid using elevators as pow may fa l.i Elevator cables may also become lgnat ed m ika ng the
elevator unsafe.
5. Don't stand under or near to electrical poles or close to buildings from which debris may fall.
6. I f y ou are in a store or shop, move away from display shelves containing bottles, cans, or other objects that may
fa ll .
51
After A Major Earthquake, Stay Vigilante
1. Check for fires.
2. Turn on a transistor radio for emergency bulletins.
3. Stay away from landslide prone areas.
4. If you are indoors, get under a strong piece of

fur n u r e (d e s k o r ta b l e)o r into a doorway. Stay clear
o fw in do w s an d ext e rio r doo rs .
5. If you are outside, get nto the open, away from

buildings and utility wires.
6. If y u are in car, stop, but stay inside. Do t stop

on or under a bridge, tree, light posts or signs.
Hazards Caused By Earthquakes
Ground shaking, in itself, is not dangerous. However, the

es u ltni g da m ag e to b uil ding s a n d o the r s tru c ture s an d the
rsi k o fc au sa lti ie sfro m fa l in g d e b r si ca n m a k e it e xt r emely
z ard o us . S om e o fth ee art h q u a ke eff e ct st h atca n b e
harmful to people are:
C ollapsin g building s, wal ls, bridges , fal ling furn itur e or
• objects, shattering glass windows and mirrors can cause injury to persons.
• Falling electrical lines, which can cause injury to people, damage buildings or cause fires.
• Ruptured gas lines and spillage of flammable substances, which can cause fires.
• Rock slides and or landslides on mountains and hillsides, which may cause damage to persons and property,
• T su n am is:A s ea wa ve or a series of waves that can be generated by an earthquake, which could devastate low-
lyi n g c oa st ala r ea s .
• L iq u e fa cti o n :W h en se d im en ts with a h igh w a te r co n ten t le g .R e cl aim e la n ds) ar es ub je c tedto prolonged

sh a k in g,th e y m ay beco m e f lu id (li qu e fy ) th e re byc a us i ng b uil d in g s an ds tr u ctu re s to si n k.
52
Tsunamis
A tsu m i( p ro n o nce d"too -n h -m ee — Japa ne se f r "gr ea t h ar bo r wave ") si an oce an w a ve or se ries of o cea n wav es
c aus edb yth ea b rup t d si tur ba nc e of t h e oc a n flo orwh ich dsi pla cesa l arge ma s s ofwa fe r. E ar thq uake s ,al nd sl id es ,
v olc anci eru pt o
i ns, ex plosi o ns a nd even th e im pa c to f as t er oid s, m ete or it eso r c om et s ca n g e n e ra t et su na m i s.
A t sunam ca n r a ce ac ro s s th e o cea n at s p ee d su p t o or g r e e rt h an 50 0 m il e s(80 5 ki lom e te rs )a h o u r. I n d e ep water,

how eve r,its w av es a re only a fe w fe e thig h , b ut w he n th ey ap pro a c h s h or elin es, t h ey in c re as e in ene r g yan d h e i gh t.
G n
peo ple m ay se e th e ba re se a bot o m . Th si h ap p ens becau s ew av es a re m ad e up of c re st s,o r h gi h p oin ts, an dtrou gh
so
, r dp
i s be tw e enc re sts.W h e n a tr o ugh hits al n d firs t, th e wa te r el v el d rop s d rastic a l y
l . Us ual y an o th er wa veb al sts
a sh o re a b o ut 1 5 m n
i te sl a et r,th e na o h er a n dan oth e r— t his m a yc o nt in ue to ha pp en fo r tw o h ou rso r more, from
5-
9
su na m is ar e a po t enti al haz a rd t o t heBVI as the last recorded tsunami (generated by an earthquake) to affect the
Te rr i to ry w a s on Nov em b er18 ,18 67 .
A lth o ugh fau l ts ro u nd th e Pu e o R ic o re g io n hav e th e p o ten ti al of ge ner a ti n g lo ca ltsu na m i s , a rt h q ua k es gr eater

t ha n m a gn i ud e7. 5 w hic h o c cu rb e yo n d th e P u r o R ic o / V r gin Is lan d s re gio n w at ers al s o have th e p o t e n t ia l o f
generating tsunamis, which could reach and affect the Territory.
Areas of greatest ri k are generally less than 50 feet above sea-level and one mile off th shoreline.
Tsu nam i s c an dev astate coastli nes, causing wid espre ad property damage and
u proo tt r e es and other coastal vegetation and cause large-scale flooding. Most
l oss of li fe. Th eystrip beaches of
deaths from tsunamis causedear
sand, drowning.
yb
Know the Emergency Terms
Tsu na m i Wa rnin g— A Tsu namiwas or may have been generated, therefore people in the WARNING AREA are
st r o ngly a dv is ed to ev ac u at e.
Tsunami Watch— A Tsunami may have been generated, but it has at least 2 hours travel time from the area in WATCH
STATUS. Be prepared for possible evacuation.
Tsu na m i Ad v is ory—An event has occurred which might generate a Tsunami. Stay tuned to the radio for more
in f o rma t io n .
53
Tsunami Facts
• Tsunamis are not "Tidal Waves" as they are not caused by or related to tides.
• They are generally triggered by a major earthquake under the ocean.
• Once created, they may propagate quickly from the point of creation (up to 435 mph).
• In the ocean, these waves may only be 0.5 metres high, but 50 to 60 miles wide.
• The may be so low and broad in the ocean that they may not be recognized by ships.
• Th first wave to hit land is usually not the biggest. Other larger waves may follow in 15-minute to 1-hour
intervals.
• As it enters coastal waters, its speed decreases and height increases.
• Coastal waters usually recedes first before the first tsunami strikes
• Damage is generally caused by the flow of water run-up and drawdown on the coastal area.
• They normally encounter land more like a quickly rising high tide than a big breaking wave.
What to do in the Event of a Tsunami
If a t su n a i w ar nin g is giv e , never go to th eb e c hto w at c hth ew a v e com ei b e cau se yo u w il l n o t liveto tell the
s to ry ! R e mem b e rt h at a ts u nam i i sa s er ies o f w ave s an d the fi rs t w a v ei s no tne c es s ar ily th e bigg e s t.
• F inadTsunami
Before o u t i f yo ur ho me is i nan a re a v u ln e r ab le t o ts n a mis .I fy ou liv e in a l o w - lyin g a r e a , fa m il ia riz e yourselfwith
th e q u ickes t w ay to r et rea t t o hig h g ro u nd . M ak esur e a l fam ily me m b er sk n ow t h e e v a cu a tion p l a n.
• I f yo u ar e c lose t ot he s ea an d n o ti c e t hatthe water recedes by an abnormal amount, move to high ground at

on c e .D ono t s tay to see wh a th a pp e ns .
• Listen to the radio for official updates and instructions.
• Gather emergency supplies.
• Develop a family emergency plan.
After a Tsunami
See Section on Floods (Page 40)
54
2.4 Extreme Heat and Droughts
Extr eme Heat
This can occur during a period of v ery hot w eather
much longer ,during w hich temper atur es a ver age
lasting severalda ys but that can sometimes last There are certain groups that are
mor1. Oldere than38people,
degr ees especially
Centigrthoseade.
over 65 years old and/or living on their own, or in a care home;
particularly
2. Peopleatsuffering
risk during
fromanmental
Extreme Heat event.
ill health, thoseThese include: and those who rely on help from other people to
with dementia,
manage day to day activities;
3. People who are house/bed bound;
4. People taking certain types of medication; and
5. Babie and young children, especially those under four years old.
A H e atA d viso r y means th at a pe ri od of hot tem perat ures is expecte d. T he combination

hu mid it y w il lc ombine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
of hot temperatures and high should:eW
1. Stay cool
2. Stay hydrated. Drink water, not juices or sodas;
3. Minimize consumption of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages;
4. If possible stay in an air-conditioned room;
5. Stay out of the sun; and
6. Check up on co-workers and family members, neighbors, and other vulnerable individuals in your area.
Drought
There are different categories of drought:
A cirg u tl ur la rD uo g th uorbsi ght ba uo wt

ch n there is insufficient moisture for aver e rop or range production. This ondition can arise, even in times of average
precipitation, due to soil conditions or agricultural techniques.
Meteorological Drought – is brought about when there is a prolonged period with below average precipitation. and
H y d r olo gic al D ro u g ht – is b ro ug h t bo u tw h en th e w a e r re s r ves avaliablein sourcessuch as aquifers,lak es,and

r e s er vo ir s fa ls b e l ow th s t atis ti ca lav e rag T h is c on d it o
i n can a se ,evenintim esofaverage (oraboveaverag e)
p r e cp i it a tio n,w h en in c rea se d u sa geo f w a t er d imi n si h es th e r es erv e s.
55
List en toOf fi cia ls. C o n se rve wa t e r :
1 . W n ashn i g di sh e s b y ha nd,don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the
o th erwit h ri n se w a te r.
2 Run y r clothes washer and dishwas er only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
3. M on itor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover
le s.
4. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
5. Collect the water ouyuse rinsingorf fruits and vegetables, then euser
it ot water houseplants.
6. Lots more tips may be obtained at: http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php
2.5 Climate Change
C lim a te c han g e is a ch an ge a v r ag e cli m a teo v e r m a ny ye ar s. I t is cau s e d la rg el yb y h u m an a ct iv it y s u c h as t he

b ur n in go f f u e lsth at re s u l tin t h ew a rm in g of t h e ea rt h 's a t m osphere ( glob al w a rm in g ) le ad in g to a c h a n g e i nc l imate.
T it on l Cli a Ch CC
h e Int er na a l P an e o n m t e an g e ( IP , 2001) has identified small islands as amongst the countries which
w il lb em o s tser iou s l y im p acte dby clim a te c h ange .
T h e f cts o f c li m at ei n c lu de h ig h er av e ra g e te m pe ratures,more unpredictable weather, changes in rainfall patterns,

s e a level r is ea nd m o re s e ve r e d ro u gh t s a n d st o rm s.
What Can You do to Reduce the Impacts of Climate Change?
Actio n s yo u ca n tak e c a n i cl ud e :
1 . Pr a ctic ing w ater con se r vati onm easures, c h as r a inw a te r harv e s ting a n d th e in s t l a tionof water-efficient
fi x tur es i n cu
l d ing o
l w -v olum e toilettank s an dshow e r head s ; r e c yc li n g o fw a st e wate r;
2 Retrofitting existing bu ldings and building new ones to better weather s vere storms;
3. E n f o r cingcoastal and river setbacks and locating buildings away from areas prone to flooding and storm
s ur g e ;
4. Designing houses to maximize natural ventilation;
5. Adjusting planting dates cropand arieties,v including the use of drought-tolerant

crops;
56
6. D eve l opinghealth action plans, disease surveillance and control, including efficient and effective database
sy s t em s;
7 Diversif cation of attractions and revenues in tou sm;
8. Preserving existing (and planting new) trees to protect the soil and water catchments
Help to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by:
1. R uc ing th e amount of paper used, reusing paper when possible and recycling paper, to help reduce
defo r es t ati o n .
2. U sin g pho to -v o lt aic ( s lar ele ct ri c ) sys te m s to g e e ra t e el ectr ic it y ,sola r w a te r he a ter s ,e n ergyefficient-
arc h ite c t ur e, p ha singou to fi nca ndes ce n tb ul b s in fa vo u ro fcomp a c tf luo re s cen t b u l b s, e tc .
3. W henp o ssible, using transportation that does not burn fossil fuels to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas
em is si o ns.
4. R emem b er in g t u rn o ff li ght sa nd electronic equipment, since this helps to reduce the amount of fossil fuels
tha t is b urn ed to m a ke elec t ric i ty .
5. U sing r enew ab le e n ergy , su ch as w in d and solar power, as this reduces the amount of energy needed from
foss i l fue l s fo r p ro d uc ti on of en er gy .
6 Usi g ene gy saving lights bulbs to reduce the amount of energy produc d from burning fossilfuels.
7. Planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby helping to reduce global warming.
8. Fixing leaky fauc ts to prevent the wasting of water, e pecially hot water. Energy from the burning of ossilf
fuels is sometimes used to heat water. Electricity is also sometimes used to pump water to homes.
9. Carpooling to reduce the amount of fossil uf el used in ansportation.
10. E ns ur i ng that your car is properly maintained and that your tyres are properly inflated. This increases fuel
e f ic ien c y.
11. Walking or riding a bicycle, instead of driving, This reduces fuel use and also helps you to stay healthy.
12. I ncorporatin htg ot ocip Cf l ami Cet ah egn

s otni tuoy h puorg s ca'tivities [e.g. Boy Scout and Girl Guide], ummer camps,
environmental club plans and school curricula.
57
3.0 Community Emergency Response Team
It has be n p oven ime nd again t t emergency services will take some
ti e to re s po nd to thei m m iate n ee d so fa co m m un i ty afe c ed byan
eme rg ency o rd si asterc au sed b y a h a z ardev e n t, es pe ci aly
l i fth er esi no
w ar n ing, a s n the ca seo f an ea rthq u a ke. As a re su lt , peoplewo u ld
g en
i m mediate lifesaving and life-sustaining needs.
In order to prepare communities for such a situation, the CERT pro-

gramm e ha s been i n tro duc ed w i th t h e f l o in go bj e c t iv e s:
• P re s en t c it ize n s w ith t h efa cts a bout wh a t to e x p e c t followinga major disaster in terms of immediate services.
• Inform citizens of their responsibility for mitigation and preparedness.
• T a in the m in n eed e d lif e sa vin g s ki l swith emphasis on decision-making skills, rescuer safety, and
gre a testhe
doing t g oo d fo r t h e gre a t e st n um ber .
• O rga niz e team s so tha t t hey a re an exte n sion of the Zonal committees offering first responder services to help
vic t im su n ti l prof ess i ona l s er vi ce s a r ri v e.
The CERT training will be fit y citizen who takes it, as he/she will be better prepared respond to and cope with
th e a fterma th of a h a z ar d or dsi ast erev en t .I t si a l so a wa y for the com m u
c om m i tte es in th eir re sp on se ca pab li ty t o an ev en t .C E R Ts can provi de m i
on r itzoy nveo
, lur gna nteizeerssp
t oosnut a o up pvolem
lu netentethresriw
Z ohnoal h ave n o th ad the tra n
i in g ,
m e d i at e ass istan ce t o vi c tim sn i h tei rarea
a nd c o ll e c t i t inteligence that wil
Courtesy of virginislandsnewsonline.com
assist professional responders with prioritising and allocating resources following a disaster.
The CERT trai ing is delivered by a team of emergency responders through

t h e D e p artmentof Disaster Management (DDM). Its training syllabus
in c lu d e s :
• Disaster Preparedness
• Disaster Fire Suppression
• Disaster Medical Operations
• Light Search & Rescue
• Disaster Psychology and Team Organization
• Disaster Simulation Exercise
Please contact the DDM at (284) 468-4200 for further information on CERT.
58
4.0 National Emergency Broadcast System
The National Emergency Broadcast System (NEBS) is a co munications
wa i n gs ys tem w h ic h i n clu d es an E m e r g e cy Ale r t Sy st em ( E AS ), a s pe c ia l
a l ert b u l e t i n t ha tc a n in te r ru p tb ro a dc a s t in g on l o ca l ra d i oa n d te le v is i o n stations,
and a siren network to alert residents of an impending situation.
W ha t to d o W h e n Y ou H ea r th e N a ti on a l Sir e n
Ify ou h ea r th e sir en s , im m e dia tel y tu n e into a n y ofthelo calrado
i station so r th e t el ev i s io n s ta t io n fo remergency
i nf orm a ti o n to b e g v
i e n b y th e N at o
i n al D si aste r Managem entCounclis' Em e rg en cy O pe r at io n sC e nt re .
5.0 Fire Safety Tips

Af ir e can e n gu lf a str uctu r e i na m a tt er o f m in ut e s. U n d e rs t an d i n g t h e b asi c ch aracteristicsof fire and learning the
p ro p er s af e ty pra ctice sc an be th ek e y to su rv iv in g a b u r n i ng h ou s eo r b u i ld in g.
Children
Children die in fires they start themselves.
Ve r yo f ten , f ir e t h at kilchildren are started by chi ren themselves. Every year people die in fire , which they, or
o t he r ch i ldre n sta r ted .
• Most of the children who start fires are simply playing with matches or lighters out of curiosity.
• fascinated with fire.
• They're imitating grown-ups without knowing how dangerous a single match can be.
• Fortunately, we all can take simpl steps to prevent many of these fatal fires.
E v er y c h il d sh ould be t au g h tth at m atc hes a nd l i g h ters ar etools, not toys. Adults use these tools for specific purposes:
gli h ti n g as to ve , li g t ing a b ar- b -qu e ,l igh tin g aca n d l e tc .
Begin early to teach children that a fire started by one match can destroy a house or KILL someone.
If You Catch Fire:

1. Stop
2. Drop
3. Roll
59
Fire s ar e K i l e rs B e ca u se T he y M o ve F ast
1 . H o mes m u st h av e cl ea r d e fe n s ib le space,40 feet on all sides.
2 Cutting/clearing bush can help provide defensible space.
3. Install smoke detectors. Check them once a month and change the batteries at least once a year.
4 Make sure all fam lyimembers know what to do in a fire.
5. P rac ti ce a le rting other household members. It is a good idea to keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom for
t hi spur p o se .
6. Prac tic e eva c uating the building blindf olded. In a real fire situation,
w
thei lamount
m o st li kof
e smokekeamyl generated by ait fire
i bissopm sotel .ee
7. Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
8. Feel la l doors before opening th me . If the d hsiroo ot, get ou anoth r way.
Pla c e e m er g e n c y numbersn ear telep hone s;be a war e, how ev er that if a
eht c a ll to y o u r e mergency services from inside the home. It is better to
fire thre atens your home, y ou should not place s mo ewhereelse.
get out first and place the call from
1 Get out as quickly and as safely as possible.
2. Use the stairs to escape.
3 When evacuating, stay low o the ground.
4. If p o ss ib l e,your cover mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling too much smoke
a n d ga s es .
5. Close doors in each room after escaping to delay the spread of the fire.
TO REPORT A FIRE CALL 911 or 999
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Remain
If A• Fire calm.
Breaks Out
• Plan escape routes.
• Get everyone out of the house.
• In d iv id u a latt e m pt s a ta firefighting should not be attempted unless

t h er e is n o ris k to y o ur self.
• K e ep th e do o rofth e r o om in wh icht h e f ir e isb e lie ve d to ha v e started

s hut .A no r d ina ry woo d e n d oo r w i lk e ep o utf ir ef o r a w h il e .
• K eep d oor s an w i ow sc lo sed. This reduces the supply of air to the

fire an d slow s do wn bu rn i n g.
• I f tr a pp ed b y fi re, g oi nto a room,s hu t t h e d oo r a n d pu t abl an k t or

carp e t a t th e bot to m o ft h edoo r( to kee p o u t sm o k e ). Ca l fo r h elp
from a window.
If meo n e 's c oth in g ca t c hes af ir ep u t hi m/ her t oli e d ow n on the floo r a nd ma ke h im / h er ro l .W rap h im /h erin
• rug i f p o ssib le , to e xt i ng u i sh th e fl a me .A f te r the fla m e s a re pu t out , keep th epers o n w a rm. Cal lfo r m e di c al
asssi tan c e .
• To put out a fat (g ease) fire, cover area with wet cloth, sand or e h. DO NOT USE WATER.
• Keep aerosol s (spray cans) away from fire. When empty, keep apart from other household garbage. Do
deliberately
not puncture.
• put any hot ashes in a container with other garbage, or in a flammable container. Hot ashes may cause fire.
• Never use oil, gasoline, kerosene or paraffin to light or restart fires.
• keep gasoline or othe flammable liquids in breakable containers, or where children can get to them.
• Do not leave hot plates, electric irons or other electrical appliances plugged in or unattended.
• Avoid h nging curtains over s ove or co kers.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
61
• Never put used matches in a waste paper basket.
• Always apply a flame to the burner before turning on the tap.
• Always open the oven door before turning on the gas.
• Do not use naked flames to search for gas leaks
• Do not use rubber tubing to connect portable gas appliances to the gas supply
• Do not overload electric circuits.
• Have electrical repairs and alterations carried out by qualified electricians.
• Replace blown fuses with similar ones of the correct ratings.
• Turn off gas and electricity at the mains before going on holiday.
• Burn rubbish well away from buildings.
• Do not smoke in bed.
• Do not smoke when using flammable liquids such as petrol, lighter fluids, etc.
• Do not put lit mosquito coils under beds or in places where they can cause sheets or curtains to catch on fire.
• Candles should be fitted in proper candlesticks with heavy bases.
• Use only certified lights on Christmas trees. Be sure to unplug these before going to bed, or going out.
• Never leave handicapped persons or small children alone in the house.
• Know where the nearest telephones are and know the phone number of the VI Fire & Rescue Services.
Fire Emergency Number - 911
THE SERVICES OF THE VI FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE ARE

FREE!
62
6.0 Glossary
Weather SystemsTerms
• T r o u g h – A la r ge s cale an ti- c loc kw is et ur n in g o ft he w i nd a s so c ia tedw i th lo w pr es sur es ys t em sandmay exist as an

el o n g a te d ext en s ion fr om alow p r essu re ce n tr e orw ith ou t a nyc on n ti on to a low p res su re cen tre.
• L o wPre ssur e Sy ste m –I n th e no rth ern hemisphere it is characterised by the anti-clockwise circulation of the wind
in to a ce ntr eo fr e la ti v ely lo w p re s su r e .
• High P r ess u r e S yst e m– In t h e n o th e rn hemisphere it is characterised by the anti-clockwise circulation of the wind
o u t of the ce ntr e o fre la ti evl y h ig h p re ss u re .
• Atlantic High Pressure System – This is a feature at low levels over the AtlanticOcean.
• Inter Tropical Convergence Zone – or ITCZ is a narrow east-west band of deep convection near the equator.
• Je t S tr e am – Is a na rrow s treamof relatively strong winds usually located in the upper atmosphere. The winds must be
5 0k n o ts ( 63 m p h ) or more.
• T ro pic al D i stu r b an c e – Is a n a re a o f o r ganisedconvection in the tropics or sub-tropics which has maintained its
i de n sify fo ra tl ea st t w e n ty-fo u r(2 4)h o u r s .
• Tropical Wave– This is a low pressure trough or a weak low pressurecirculationin the trade wind easterlies.
• Trop ic a l D e pre ssi on – a no r ga niz ed s yst e m o fclo ud sand th u nd er s to rm s w it ha de f ine d , clos e d s u rf acec ir cu la t io n
a m a xim u m s usta i ne d w i nd s o fle s s than1 7m re s pe r s ec on d (3 3k n) or 3 8m i le s pe r h our (6 1 km / h ). Ith as n oe y e
and does not typically have the organization or the spiral shape of more powerful storms.
T ro pci a l S torm –F o rm ed over open s e a s and i sc h a c teri s e b yex tr eme w in d da m a ge , inte n se d o w npo u so f rain ,
• a v e,s to rm sa tse a, s eve re coast al wa v ea c t ion, m ar ine floo din g , r iv e r fl oo di n g, l ig h tn ing a n dth u n de r sto rm s,w it h
wind s39 m ph –73m p h .
• H u rrica n e – A lar ge clo s ed cir c ul at ion s y ste m inth at m o s phe w ith low b a rom e tr icp re ss ure a ndstro n g win d sth a t
r o ate c o u nt e r c lo c kw ise in the n or t he rn h em i h re a nd c lock wi se i n th e s outher n hem isp h e re. T h er e a re f iv e
categories of hurricanes based on sustained wind speeds. They are:
1 74 - 95mph
2 9 6 m ph–1 0 m p h
Cat 3: 1 1 1 mph– 13 0 m p h
4 31 –15 5 m p h
Cat 5:
63
WeatherTerms
• Fair/Fine: Where less than 1/8 of the sky is covered with clouds.
• Partly Cloudy:Where less than 1/2 to 3/4 of the sky is covered with clouds.
• Cloudy: Where cloud cover is more than 3/4 but not total.
• Overcast: Sky is completely covered with clouds, no blue sky is visible.
• O b scured: State of sky cannot be determined due to one or more weather phenomena e.g. wide spread smoke, volcanic
as het c.
• D u s tH a ze :I s a su s p ensionin the atmosphere of minute dust participles of significant density to cause a significant
re duc tio n in v is ib i li t y.
• Humidity: Is the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.
• Re la tiv e Hum id i ty : I th e a c tu ala m o u nt o fm ois t u rein the atmosphere divided by the amount it can hold at a given
t em pe ratu r e an dp ressur e e xpr e ss e d as a p erc en t ag e.
• Continuous Rain: Is that which lasts for one hour or more withoutbreak.
• IntermittentRain: Is that whichfalls in spells each lasting less than one hour.
• Isolated Showers: Showers whichare physically remote from others.
• Widely Scattered Showers: Showers which are considerabledistance apart either in space or time.
• Scattered Showers: Showers which are not clusteredtogether either in space or time.
• Occasional Showers: Showers which occur irregularly and infrequently.
• FrequentShowers: Showers occurring often or in close succession.
• Light Showers: Showers of low intensity.
• Moderate Showers: Showers of medium intensity.
• Heavy Showers: Showers falling with force.
• Violent Showers: Showers of great physical force.

64
Sea Terms
• Calm- No visible waves, waves less than one foot.
• Slight - Waves one to three feet.
• Moderate - Waves three to six feet.
• Locally Rough - Waves six to ten feet.
• Rough - Waves ten to twelve feet.
• Very Rough - Waves over twelve feet.
• Gusts - Sudden increase in the wind speed registering ten units or more above average.
• Variable - Infrequent large changes in the wind direction.
• Hurricane Force Winds - Sustained winds of 74 mph or more.
• Bulletin - Information issued when a significant weather system is detected in the area;
• A d v i so r y -is s ue d atr eg u la r inter v als whena tropical storm or hurricane is first detected in the area that
e n c ou ra g esthe p ub lic t o k eep li ste n ing ;
• W a tc h - issu w h en t he h u rricanecontinues its advance and hurricane conditions are a real possibility. It does not
me a n tha tt hey ar e i mm in e nt;
• Warning - issued when once it is established that hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours;
• Tropical Depression - A Tropical System with a circulation but with winds of less than 39 m.p.h. (34 knots);
• Tropical Storm - A Tropical System with a circulation and winds of 39 - 73 m.p.h. (34 - 63 knots).
• Hurricane -An intense Tropical System with maximum sustained winds greater than 74 m.p.h. (64 knots).
• Ey e -Th e r e at iv e ly c lm a r a ne a r s th ec e ntre a rou n d w h ich th e s tron g estwinds blow. As the eye passes, light
w in ds r a pid ly g iv e way to ver y s e vere w in d s f ro m t h e o pp o s ite d ire c ti o n ;
• Sto r m S ur ge - Th er ise o fw ater(as high as 10 to 20 feet) above sea level brought on by the strong winds and low
p r e ss ur e i n t he s to rm ce nt re ;
65
Types Of Warning - Terms
F l o o d W a rn n
i g -W he n flo o ding si e xpec t ed ni l ow l yi n g area sa nd n ea r the ri ve r b an ks d ue toa c ontinu ous
• do w n p ou r of ra i n (o fm an y ho urs dur ati on ) a lfo o dw a r ning w il lbe si s ued . Th i sw arn in g si n t ne c essa rliy
as s ocia te d withD ep r ssio ns ,S torm so r H u rrican es, an d s tr o ngw indsd o not alw ay s ac co m pany th e ra in .
• Fl ash Flo o d W arn in g -Wh e n su d de n ve r yhea vy o rv io lent ra in f l is e x pect e dto o cc ur ,br ing ing asu f fi ci en tl y la rge
am o un t o fwa te rt o ca u f lo o di n g i n a s ho t ti m e, af la sh f loo d wanin g w il lb e is su e d . A sw i th t he f l ood w ar n in g,
this is not necessarily associated with Depressions, Storms or Hurricanes.
S m all Cr aft Ad v i sory- W he n ab ov e n orm alw in d s , s a swe lsl orw i n d dr ive n w a ve s a re a ffec ting s ur ro u n d nig
• w aters ,w ith c ond itions j us tm ar g inally s afef r sm a llc ra f t operati on s, a sm all cr aft ad v is ory wi l be is su e d asa
c aution. Thes e cond ition s ar e ca us e db y va ro i u s me teo r o ol gica l s yste m si n clu din gD e pre ss o
i ns,Storm s a nd
Hurricanes.
• Sm a ll C r a ftW a rni n g - W h e n a Hur r ca ne, Storm or De p re s sio n m ov es w it hin a f ew hu nd red mi le s oft h e c o ast,o r
h en c on dit io ns ca u sed b yo th e r syste m s re c on sid ere d uns a fe w i th w ind s up to 38 m i les pe rh ou r(3 3 kn o ts), a
warning will be issued for small craft operators to take precautions and not to venture into the open sea.
G ael W ar n i n g-W h e n w n i of39 to 5 4 m ile s perh our( 34 -4 7 k no ts ) a re xe p ecte d t o af f t th e is la nd w it h in 2 4

• hou rs , a g ale war ni n g is a dded to the a d v isory m es sa g e. A gal e w a r ning m ay b e i ss u ed w heno n ly th e f ri nge e fe c tof
h
t e H ur r ci ane is exp e ct ed tob efetl .
• S to rm Warn ing - Wh enw in d s of 55 t o 7 3 mi le sp erh our(48 - 63 knots) are expected to affect the island within 36
ho ur s,a sto rm wa r ning i sa d ded to the a d v isory mes sa g e.
H u r rican eW at ch -A H urrica n eWat ch w lil b ea d d ed to th ead viso rym e age w h en t h re is a th re a to f

• co n ditionsa fec ti ng th e isla nd w i t n 36 –4 8 ho u r s. A Hu r r ci ane W at ch m n st ha th urr cia n ec o n dti io
hpourssriibci ail ntye; tid oes not mean th at they ar eim m i n e nt. W h en a W atc hi si ss ued , e ve r yon ei nt h ei sla n dsh
n s a re a realprepared to act quickly if a hurricane warning is later issued.
ou l d be
H u rrci a n eW a rn in g s -W h e n hu r rci a n e co nd itio ns a re e x pe c t e o a f fe ct t h e is la w ith i n 36 h o u rs, a h urr ic a n e

• w a rn in gw li lb e ad d edt the a d vsior y m e ssa ge. H ur ri ca n e c on diti o ns in clu d e w inds of 74 m ile s p e rh o u r(6 4 k n ots)
or m o re, an d/ or da n g er ou sly h igh tid e sand w ave s .
H urr ica w a rn in sare s e d l o m issu ed m or e th a 36 h our si n advance. If th e h u r ri can e 'spa t h isu n us u al r e r ratic,
th e w arn n
i g m ay be issue d o n ly a fe w h ou r s b efore th e be g ni nni g ofhurric an e c on d i t io n s. Lo ca l p re ca u tion a r y
ac to
i ns sho ul d be ginas so o n a sh ur r ci a n e w ar ning sa re iss ue d.
He at Adv iso ry - A H e at A d v or y mean s th a t ap e rio d of ho te m p er at ur es is e x pect e d.T he c om bin a ti onof hot

66 • tempe r a tu r es an d h ig h h u m id ity w i l c om b ine t o cr ea te a s itu a tio n in w h ich h e a t iln e ss e s a re po s si ble .
Special Coastal Warning Terms
• Hurricane Tides And Surge - Major hurricane swells t avel great dis anc ahead f the centre and may cause a
ri se in th e le v elo f t he s e a alo n g th e s h or e, c a l ed th e H u rri can e Tide .W hil e th e h u i can e i s s ti l s o me di s ta n c e
aw ay ,w a rn in g s wou l db e i ss u e dt o be a ch go er s (a lo n g w ith s m a l c raf ts) .A w a v e front p roducedb y t he hu r ri c ane
will bring considerable mass transportof wat towards the shore. The rise in the water evlel in this case is a
rap i d phen o m en o n, o ccu rrin gn e a r the ar a w he re th e e em ak e s al n df all,a nda b ou tt h esa m e tim e . T h is is c ale d
th eH u rr ci a n e su rge ( or storm su rg e in th eca s eof th at syst em ), an d c an bring t d i a l wa v es o f1 5t o 20 ft. ( so m etimes
h gi h er).T h e su ge ca n ent th e m out hs of rv i e r san d m ov e a con si de ra bel d i tsa n ce an dlo s so fli fe is u su al yl caused
b
a gainst the hurricane surge are not likely to be given a long time in advance.
67

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Community Disaster Preparedness Guide

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C OMMUN IT Y

Advice for the Protecting your Disaster Supplies Kit Emergency

Department of Disaster Management

Tel.: 284-468-4200 Fax: 284-494-2024

1.1 Zones & Zonal Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.2 Terms Used In Disaster Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

4. Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities 2

2.0 Natural Hazards Affecting the Virgin Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

For Senior Citize . . . . . . . . ..

2.3 Earthquakes & Tsunamis .

2.4 Ext re m e H e at andDrought s

2.5 Climate Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

3.0 Community Emergency Preparedness Team (CERT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

4.0 Nat io nal Em e rg e nc y Br o adca s t S ys t em . .. .. . . ..

Dear Community Member,

T his H an db o o khas be en c omplied b y the Community

W e sh ould a lkno w how to p r ep a e fo ra nd re sp o n d to e m e r ge n ci e ord isaste r st ha tm a y o c c ur in ou rcom m u n y ,

Personal Contact Numbers

Community-based preparedness and planning allow us to manage the potential

T he Ha ndb ook foc use s o nt h ep hy s ic al ha za r ds o f d is s t e rs ; o w ev er,t h re ar e so m e em o tion al as p ec ts a sw e l.L i vi ng

The Co or d in a tor a n d his C om mi t tee i sr e sp on sib le for the m a na g e m e of al l e m r g en cy a ct iv i ti e sa t th Z o n al lev e l,

1.2 Terms Used in Disaster Management

Vulnerability – is the susceptibility of persons, structures or systems to be affected by a hazard.

Therefore communities, families and individua should know what

Emergency Planning & Disaster Supplies

Dr ec y af ter an e merg e nc y,e sse ntial s e rv c i es m ay be c u to f an d local

Each family should create a Disaster Plan.

Disaster Plan - Family

9. To reduce the economic impact of disasters on your household or property:

In adi s as te r, t hey'll lo o kt oy ou an d o th e r a d u lt s fo rh el p .How y ou re a c t toan em e rge n cy g ive s th e m c lue so n how to

B ea w ar e t h at afte ra disas ter, children are most

E nc o u r ag echild rent o t k. L e t c hil d re ta lk a b ou t th e dis a s ter a n d as k qu e sti ons a s m u c h as t he y wa nt .E n courage

3. Nev e r h ol dac h il d in y o ur a r ms w hi le c ooking,

4. K eep yo u ng ch i ld ren at l a st 3 fe et (1 m ete r)

6. W hench i ldren are o ld en oug h, teach them to co

7. U sef ir e-r es i s tant materials around stoves, micro

8. S tore fue ls in proper containers, and

1. In m a n y fatal re sid e n tia l fir e s ,n os m ok e la rm s w e r p re se n t .K e e p y u r f am ily sa f e by inst alling a s m k e a larm

Disaster Supply Kit

O neof th e m o stim p or ta n t to o l s fo r em er g enc ypr eparedne s s is th e D is ase r S u p p ly K i t. Lis te d b elow a r e t h e m os t

 Two-weeks supply of non-perishable/special dietary foods.

 Flashlights and batteries for each member of the family.

 Portable radio and (7 sets) batteries.

 Two coolers (one to keep food and one for ice).

 Water purification kit (tablets, bleach, chlorine [plain] and iodine).

 Infant necessities (medicine, sterile water, diapers, ready formula, bottles).

 Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, towels, disinfectant).

 Toilet paper, paper towels and pre-moisturized towelettes.

 Complete set of clothes, shoes, gloves, etc.

 Personal sanitary items.

 Important documents (stored in water-tight plastic bags).

Protecting your Animals

5 ickens in the backy rd and hto re d emo s it c rib msd us ebt

T he s afe sta nd m ost h um anec ourse of action is to fre e all co ws,

2. If wi nadl a sl era part nroep ano t ooflaru d cruos e

W i th o u t cre a t in g pa c, h o t eli e rs s h ul d a ler t g u e st s to th e s it u io n o n a no n - go in g si s on ce re le v an tb u le tins

A an g e tr a i n i ngfo ry ours t fin F rs t A id and o th e rdi sas t e rp r e p are dn es s t ra i n g th ro ug h theD D M or BV I R e d

B efore the o e t of a Tr p i ca lSto rm o rH u rrica n e , i tis v ery im p or tan t

2. M o n ito r an d lis te n t o t he rad iofor regular weather reports,

4. Re m o veb o at s f ro m t he w aterif you can, or take them to one of the

If possible, mo ve boats on tr ailers close to

Know Your Risk

Have your building/s inspected by a licensed professi onal to

 If a storm threatens, secure your building.