I read with amazement the latest advertisement by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) regarding action (lack of ) in the event of a disaster. Does the ODPM expect us to take it seriously? It makes no mention of how such a disaster would be handled and the trained personnel who would deal with it. Unfortunately, I have experienced first hand two real disasters-the London blitz and the lesser known but just as deadly Antwerp blitz, which also lasted six months.
One of the most important aspects needed to deal with a disaster is a good reliable communications system. I have asked the ODPM on many occasions what means of communication it will have if a hurricane hits us. It has always ignored my question. If a hurricane should hit us we must anticipate the worst scenario.
All our communication and power supplies are overhead lines. These will be the first to fail. So no power or cable TV. Cell phone towers will be down so no cell phones. With no power to hospitals, will the stand-by generators be adequate for their needs?
If there are people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, do we have the trained personnel to rescue them? This is a very skilled task? It takes time to train people and teams with the right equipment to rescue trapped people. I have seen no information of training courses for such personnel. And are there storage depots and maintenance facilities for equipment?
There would normally be a couple of days warning of hurricanes but earthquakes do not give such notice so personnel must be available at very short notice with a reliable communications system. From the blurb given out by the ODPM, even that has not been decided. Preparation, training and communications are the essential requirements of an efficient rescue service. I see little of it here.
Hugh Putt
Via e-mail