2/10/2012 1 Working Group IV of the ICG/CARIBE EWS

Working Group IV of the
ICG/CARIBE EWS
February 6-7 2012, Barbados
Tsunami Preparedness work done in Trinidad thus far has been
conducted through the local NDO, the Office for Disaster Preparedness
and Management. These projects include:
•Supporting the 6 th Inter-governmental Coordinating Group conference
on Tsunamis and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System in Dominican
Republic 2011
•The construction of Tsunami Warning signs at three popular coastal
areas Maracas, Las Cuevas and Vessigny beaches as part of a pilot
project.
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Image Showing Tsunami Information Sign at Maracas Bay Trinidad
• In March 2011 the ODPM conducted a National Tsunami Adaptation
Protocol and Testing Workshop and participated in Caribe Wave/
Lantex 2011 immediately after.
• The CORE Project of the ODPM sensitizes residents in coastal areas
on the possibility of Tsunami inundation.
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• ODPM together with the San Fernando City Corporation Disaster
Management Unit is working to develop an Egress (Evacuation)
Policy for the city and environs. Included in this plan are an All
Hazards Early Warning System which includes Tsunami warnings
and signage showing Tsunami inundation areas and escape routes.
This plan will be used as a template to develop other coastal areas.
• The ODPM is currently engaging contractors with RFP’s (Requests for
Proposals) for supply and installation of Early Warning Systems in
coastal and/or vulnerable areas.
• The ODPM has conducted three Disaster Risk Reduction workshops
with primary and secondary school teachers which include modules
on Tsunami preparedness.
• The ODPM is currently working on Tsunami Presentations for
educational purposes. Currently the target group is those in disaster
management positions, but this will be expanded later.
• The ODPM is working with the Information Communication
Technology group of the Ministry of National Security to establish an
internal earthquake information and tsunami warning system,
using e-mail messaging to laptops and Blackberrys.
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UPGRADE TO THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
– There are two early warning systems found in the south-western end of the Island.
These systems were strategically located here, because it is low lying, major industries
and services are located here, such as the ANR Robinson Airport, NP Plant, Cove
Industrial estate and major shopping and housing areas. The Early warning system
makes all in the south west aware of an encroaching danger through a series of tones
and sirens. The upgrade of the system allows key persons to activate these systems
with the use of a cell phone and VHF radios.
The system was tested with the help of the primary schools in the area (Dec 2011)
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SCARBOROUGH EVACUATION MAP
– This map was prepared to make persons in the
Scarborough area aware of the areas to be affected
by a tsunami likely of 75 ft. It also notifies the
inhabitants of the Evacuation muster points. The
flyers “Scarborough Emergency Evacuation Guide”
is and will be distributed in all and critical areas
around the island. Likewise, the “Scarborough
Evacuation Map’ has been and is being distributed
continually in the form of posters throughout
Scarborough.
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INUNDATION MAPS
– Since the recent mapping of Special Needs persons across the island, it was
decided that hazard maps should be created for areas greatly impacted by
natural disasters. A Hazard map was created specific to the Charlotteville area
(pilot), showing areas that are prone to landslides, floods and an inundation zone
of 100ft. The map shows that many of the special needs persons are found in the
hazard prone areas.
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FUTURE PLANS
•To continue the hazard mapping of critical communities across the
island based on the 100ft elevation zone, especially with Special
Needs persons in mind
•Test the Scarborough Evacuation Plan, with an actual evacuation
drill
•Continue the distribution of flyers and maps
•Place more early warning systems around Tobago especially in the
Scarborough area (funding needed)
Office Of Disaster Preparedness and Management
4A Orange Grove Road,
Trinicity, Tacarigua,
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Office: (868) 640-1285
Fax: (868) 640-8988
Emergency: 800 ODPM (6376)
Email: publicinfo.odpm@gmail.com
Tobago Emergency Management
Agency (TEMA) Fairfield Complex,
Bacolet Street, Scarborough, Tobago.
Tel- (868) 660-7489
Fax- (868) 660-7657
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