By Wallace J.A


FORT FREDERICK, Richmond Hill, St. George’s (May 5, 2006): Today, officials of the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) held a workshop at its Richmond Hill headquarters for members of the seventeen districts, making up the tri-island state, with special responsibility for telecommunications.

The workshop exposed participants to the characteristics of hazards, vulnerability risks and disaster scenarios and they were engaged in practical activities designed to allow them to present information about response and preparedness to natural hazards in Grenada. Participants were also trained in the use and operation and care of communication devices that would be used before, during and after a hazard impacts on the country or an area within the country.

During previous weeks, members of various district sub-committees, with specific responsibilities for different areas of disaster management, also received training in their specialist areas.

It is quite obvious that NaDMA is ensuring that all the requisite structures are in place to significantly minimize vulnerability, mitigate the impact of hazards, improve its response capacity to disaster situations in the country, protect vulnerable systems and reconstruct vulnerable systems.

The hard-working men and women making up the NaDMA team are taking their duties and responsibilities very seriously and the Grenadian public should feel proud about their level of commitment and should be prepared to co-operate fully with members of the team as they work assiduously to diminish or eliminate hazard risks where possible and reduce or prevent the loss of life, personal injury and damage to property should a disaster befall Grenada.

The Hurricane Season will begin on June 1,2006 and end on November 30,2006. Grenada was impacted by two hurricanes during the last two years. The 2006 season is again predicted to be a very active season and Grenadians are urged to not become complacent but to be in a state of preparedness at all times.