CIG DELEGATION ATTENDS NATIONAL HURRICANE CONFERENCE

Although hurricane season does not officially begin until June 1^st, the first hurricane of 2016 was recorded two months ago when a disturbance in the Atlantic turned into Hurricane Alex – only the second January hurricane on record since 1938.

As part of the preparation process leading up to this year’s hurricane season, a delegation of public officials, led by Franz Manderson, Deputy Governor attended the 2016 National Hurricane Conference (NHC) in Orlando, Florida. The conference, held March 21^st – 24^th is the premier forum for education and professional training in hurricane and disaster preparedness.

Accompanying the Deputy Governor was David Hails, Chief Fire Officer; Lee Madison, Deputy Director, Hazard Management Cayman Islands as well as two representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs – Vinton Chinsee, Chief Financial Officer, and Michael Ebanks, Assistant Chief Officer.

The primary goal of the National Hurricane Conference is to improve hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. The conference provides courses, workshops, and networking events to support the exchange of ideas, strategies, and policies with a view to improve Emergency Management. Hurricanes represent one of many disaster events that require inter-agency collaboration at all levels of government in order to effectively protect lives, property, and the environment. “As emergency managers and first responders our aim is to be prepared ahead of a disaster in order to deliver the services required by the community during and after the event”, said Chief Hails.

In recognition that preparation among the general public is also crucial, Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) has published an extensive library of informational resources online at www.caymanprepared.ky and www.facebook.com/caymanhazard.