ODPEM's Chairman Dennis Chung - Earthquake Awareness Month Message

Dennis Chung

As chairman of ODPEM, I am pleased to extend a message to Jamaica, as we observe January as Earthquake Awareness Month 2025, under the theme “Prepare for the quake, reduce the impact of the shake.”

This theme is in line with the strategic direction of the ODPEM, to build resilience, with the aim of reducing the impact of natural disasters on Jamaica and Jamaicans. It is always less costly to be more resilient, and hence this is where our focus is. There is no doubt that natural disasters will happen, and it is only a matter of when they occur.

The ODPEM has two primary roles in dealing with these natural disasters. The first is to educate and prepare the public and the second is to respond to the effects of a natural disaster. As a board, we have considered that we should ensure that we are as prepared as much as possible, prior to the event happening, and that the structure in in place to respond during and after the event.

This is even more critical for earthquakes, as while we can predict when a hurricane will arrive, we are not yet able to predict the occurrence of an earthquake. So, it is even more important that we are constantly prepared, as an earthquake can happen at any time.

Preparation, in the case of earthquakes, means adherence to building codes, and getting the required permits, checking your surroundings for hazards, knowing what to do during an earthquake, and having a plan for what to do after an earthquake.

However, because an earthquake last only a few seconds, the only way we can be ready is if we are aware of when an earthquake starts and consistently practice our action about where to take cover. In other words, advance planning will ensure that you instinctively act and make the right decisions that will determine the outcome for you.

The ODPEM will continue to educate the public about preparedness about all natural disasters, and earthquakes in particular, as a part of our continuous PR campaign. We also urge the public to review the information about earthquakes on our website (www.odpem.org.jm), to inform yourself about what an earthquake is, what to do to prepare, and what the hazards are that may be in your home or office.

We will continue to work to ensure that Jamaicans and Jamaica develop greater resilience to natural disasters and urge the public to always be prepared.

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