"People should fix their homes and clean up debris around their houses so they can feel safe during a storm," said Joy Arnell, ESF -7 co- coordinator.
The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor, is part of the "Organizational Structure Disaster Management of St. Maarten" and as ESF 7, is responsible for evacuation, shelters, relief and mass care. There are ten ESF groups, which also includes ESF-6 medical assistance, another key component of the Ministry of Public Health, Social development and Labour.
Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever is asking the community not to wait until the last minute to make preparations, he is especially appealing to the elderly and the mentally and physically challenged to ensure that their surroundings are safe.
In preparation for the 2012 Hurricane season, a shelter managers training workshop facilitated by the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) Regional Risk Reduction Initiative, was held in June. Persons from the various relevant Departments as well as volunteers were trained in preparing and manning the shelters during a possible hurricane or disaster.
