Monday 28 March 2011 – Saint Lucia's Earthquake protocols were scrutinized by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The two-day workshop was held against the background of severe damage caused by earthquakes throughout the Caribbean during, and prior to the recorded history of the region.
Senior Programme Officer with CDEMA Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, who conducted the evaluation, says the high level of seismic activities in the region demands updated emergency plans.
“Saint Lucia has a national earthquake contingency plan which is already drafted; what we were doing is actually reviewing it, revising it in light of the modern earthquake contingency plan that CEDMA has. It is good to have a plan but if it is not tested you are not sure of the gaps that exist.”
Dr. Clerveaux is satisfied that the two-day workshop in Saint Lucia met its objectives. She feels that the country's preparedness can be further enhanced if the National Emergency Management Office(NEMO) undertakes serious public education campaigns among schools and community groups.
Similar exercises have been held in Turks and Caicos Islands, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados and Haiti.
Source: http://stlucia.gov.lc/pr2011/march/cedema_reviews_saint_lucia's_earthquake_readiness_protocols.htm