Some emergency warning system that was destroyed by hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: DDM

While addressing the 2018 Standing Finance Committee, Sharleen S. Dabreo, Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), pleaded for additional funding to rebuild numerous emergency systems and to re-establish programmes within DDM. Photo: VINO/File

Brand new weather stations that are being installed in different areas of the territory. Photo: GIS

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), (left) and Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), (right) Second District Representative, showed their support for DDM to receive the additional funds that they are requesting. Photo: VINO/File

She explained, “Our circumstances have changed drastically, and we are faced with having to rebuild a number of systems and re-establish programmes.”

During her presentation, in regards to some of the significant areas that need immediate attention, Ms Dabreo explained that her department was able to roll over the minutes for a number of years, but because of the usage of the satellite phones during the 2017 hurricanes, they now require $5,000 in order to use them again, adding that equipment is also needed to re-establish the network.

“We would need an additional $50,000.00 to cover the installation of equipment which would include the costs to hire a crane, purchase of poles and labour costs needed to re-establish the network,” according to the DDM director.

She continued, “We would need funds for additional air conditioning and additional costs towards electricity, while pointing out that at their original location electricity cost was reduced due to energy efficient equipment.

Replacement of the tsunami signs

Meanwhile, Ms Dabreo mentioned that $15,975 would be needed to replace all of the tsunami signs throughout the territory, while noting that funds will also be required to cover the cost of travelling to the Sister Islands.

“They have worked diligently” – Hon Melvin M. Turnbull

Honourable Melvin M. Turnbull (R2), Second District Representative, in his contribution, urged that the Minister of Finance, Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), provide the funding to DDM because “they have worked diligently” after the hurricanes of September 2017.

He said, “The requests for additional funding do not seem to be unrealistic. The work done by the DDM and her team should not only be commended but rewarded so that they can continue until they can be given the new building that they had been speaking about.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), suggested that the funding for the installation of equipment for DDM’s network can fall under the National Security Programme and be taken from the $5 million that was provided to the National Security Council.

Designated shelters being assessed

Responding to a question on whether a post-hurricane assessment was done on all the designated shelters, Ms Dabreo reported that evaluations were completed on 30 buildings that were approved to be shelters last year.

She explained, “As a result of the assessment, there are 13 of those buildings that they are comfortable with being ready for use this year if they were to apply some emergency repairs. We have been working with the Ministry of Health and Social Development to look at the community centres as a priority for those repairs for 2018.”