Did The Earthquake Shake Us Up to Make Positive Changes?

Professor Simon Mitchell

I expressed some views on Monday, October 30, the day an earthquake gave Jamaica a shake-up. A shake which did not result in death, injury nor massive destruction of buildings, but a shake which should force us to get our act together as far as dealing with earthquakes is concerned. Our people were not prepared to deal with the earthquake nor the aftermath. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) was also not prepared to lead the nation in this emergency. Apparently, the agency depended on the political head to do its work.

On Friday, November 3, 2023, I had a discussion during my programme 'SpotOn With Vernon Derby' with Professor Simon Michell. Professor Mitchell is Professor of Sedimentary Geology in the Department of Geography and Geology at the University of the West Indies.

Click here to listen to the section about whether we were ready to deal with the emergency.

We need to put persons in place to deal with a crisis such as an earthquake rather than send a report to the political head and the nation has to wait on the political head to report.

Click to listen to the section relating to putting people in place to deal with the challenge

Let's ensure that we put all things in place to minimize the impact that a significant earthquake can have on our people.

More Readings:

1. DELAY DEFENCE - ODPEM says hourslong silence after quake resulted from adherence to protocols
2. About Professor Mitchell.
3. Kingston sitting on a big one - Rupture to newly discovered fault line could trigger 6.9 quake - Rupture to newly discovered fault line could trigger 6.9 quake.
4. ODPEM sidelined by politicians in hurricane prep - Carby

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