On Monday evening, 13 September, the Salem Disaster Committee headed by Mr. Kenrick Harewood and seconded by Herman Francis, held a meeting to acquaint the public with the plans for the residents of the Salem, Hope, Friths, Old Towne, and Woodlands areas in the event of a hurricane.
Unfortunately, for what the discussion called numerous reasons, there was a very poor turnout. It is, in this writer’s opinion, critical for the residents of this area to be better informed, since there are so many CARICOM members living in the area. Many of these residents, from places such as Guyana, where hurricanes are unknown, are unprepared to respond to the danger.
James White Jr. of the E.O.C. gave a brief overview of the 5 Islandwide districts and the EOC plan for disbursing emergency supplies to these districts in preparation of an expected emergency and immediately following an event.
Mr. Harewood then told that the district covered the area from the Belham to Palm Loop in Woodlands and all in between. He went on to say that upon warning of an impending hurricane, an emergency meeting of the district committee would be held, followed by opening the shelters and blowing of the sirens to warn the residents. Sub-district leaders would then travel their areas making sure that the elderly and the infirm were brought to the nearest shelter. They would also do their utmost to encourage those in substandard housing to leave and go to a shelter. Mr. Francis is in charge of overseeing and opening the shelters. People are expected to bring dry food for 48 hours. In the event that the emergency lasts longer than 48 hours, government will supply food for each shelter.
Following the emergency, the district committee will do an assessment of the damages and what will be required for cleanup and temporary repair to homes to prevent further damage to them. The committee will also be looking for volunteers to present themselves at the Salem Police Station to assist in the cleanup. The station will also be the distribution center for relief supplies.
Sub-district leaders are: John Lindsey – Salem, Hope and Glebe; David Hodd -- Olveston & Old Towne; Clarence Greaves -- Happy Hill, Friths & Flemmings; Neville Ponde -- Woodlands.
(Further information supplied by Mr. Breuer gave the location of the shelters. There are also rules governing these shelters, such as signing in particulars on arrival, no alcohol, no smoking, and turn in cutlass or other weapons on arrival.
