BARP On the Move July 2015 | Page 6

DEM & Communities BARP Keeping In Touch With This Hurricane Season (L-R) Acting Director, Department of Emergency Management, Kerry Hinds, Deputy Director of the Barbados Meteorological Service, Sonia Nurse, BARP Member and Subject Expert, Ewald Mullin, Executive Manager (BARP), Elsa Webster and Edward Bushell, President (BARP). J une 1st marked the start of the hurricane season and at a press conference at the Office of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Warrens Industrial Park, the partnership between DEM and BARP was announced. BARP is ever concerned about the health and well-being of its members. When the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) proposed a partnership with BARP under their theme “Keeping in touch with our communities” we jumped at the opportunity. With 44,000 plus members and an estimation that there is a BARP member in almost every household, we echo the sentiments of the Department of Emergency Management that is, that persons need to take ownership of their own safety and security in the face of any natural disaster which they may be susceptible to during the 2015 Hurricane Season. We especially urge the seniors of Barbados to be in a state of readiness: • • • • • Have a written detailed plan including identification of two or three team members who can assist you in an emergency Have your emergency supply kit prepared inclusive of any prescribed medication Have an evacuation plan in place especially, if you do not have ready access to transportation Secure all important documents, and Be aware of the various emergency shelters located in your community especially those with wheel chair access. There are many pro-active mitigation and preparedness activities which can be implemented on an individual level to prepare for the hurricane season. Through the partnership of BARP and DEM our initial offerings to assist the public in preparing for this hurricane season will include: • • 6 A co-branded brochure titled “Disaster Preparedness for the Elderly and People with Disabilities and Special Needs” which will be available in hard and soft copy, and An education and awareness series to be facilitated by Mr Ewald Mullin, BARP member and subject expert. This series will be transmitted via our BARP Fifty Plus Radio programme which airs every 1st and 3rd Tuesday on VOB 92.9 FM at 9:00 a.m. and every 2nd and 4th Monday on CBC 100.7FM at 12:30 p.m. HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT READY. THIS KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Water - 1- 2 gallons per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation and 2-week supply for home) Non-perishable food (3-day supply for evacuation and 2-week supply for home) Disposable plates, cups, cutlery and flexible straws Mobility/ Special aids (canes, walkers, hearing aids with batteries, etc) Flashlights with extra batteries (DO NOT USE CANDLES) A battery-operated radio First aid supplies (surgical alcohol, gauze, band aids, etc) Medication (at least enough for 7 days) Sanitation and personal hygiene items (toilet paper, garbage bags, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, etc) Cellular telephone (fully charged and topped up) Whistle (to attract the attention of emergency personnel) Manual can opener A change of clothing Cards and other similar games to help pass the time EMERGENCY SHELTERS IN BARBADOS WITH WHEELCHAIR ACCESS ST. MICHAEL St. Leonard’s Boys’ School The University of the West Indies CHRIST CHURCH Blackman and Gollop Primary School ST. GEORGE Cuthbert Moore Primary School ST. JAMES Gordon Greenidge Primary School ST. PETER Coleridge and Parry Secondary School Roland Edwards Primary School ST. LUCY Ignatius Byer Primary School S AV E T H E P L A N E T