Dominica Makes Efforts to Improve Response to Adverse Seismic Activity

Efforts are underway to ensure that Dominica stands ready to respond to adverse seismic activity which may come with Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes.

Management teams of the new purpose-built Regional Emergency Shelters in Castle Bruce, Jimmit and Layou along with other members of District and Community Disaster Management Committees as well as Emergency Operators from communities across the island, have been attending training sessions at the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) facility in Jimmit.

The sessions are aimed at improving their understanding of volcano and seismic hazards in the Dominica context, in order to be more prepared.

The training also focused on emergency communications, and how to make provisions for vulnerable populations in the event of emergency evacuation to the Regional Emergency Shelters because of a volcanic eruption or an earthquake.

Volcanologist DaVita James, says it is important to provide training for emergency operators to improve their knowledge and ability to manage emergency sheltering and communications in the context of volcano-seismic events, to reduce the negative effects on the lives of community members.

Participants in the training saw the value of the information on volcanos and seismic hazards presented to them, as it helps build community resilience.

Information presented included Dominica’s volcanic and seismic profile, the hazards that would accompany an eruption in Dominica and the areas that would be expected to be safe from major effects. Participants also recognized the importance of being always prepared for the possibility of non-seasonal hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Dominica has the highest number of potentially active volcanic centers in the Caribbean.