(Stock Photo)

A full communications test will be conducted in Barbados this Thursday, March 19, as Barbados continues to pursue the UNESCO internationally approved Tsunami Ready Certificate of Recognition for the Shermans, St. Lucy, to Mullins, St. Peter communities.

This will see the island’s Common Alerting Protocols (CAP) application on cellular phones, email alerts and radio interrupts across the radio stations 90.1 FM, 98.1 The One FM, SLAM 101.1 FM and Y 103.3 FM being tested on the day.

However, persons are asked not to panic as the tests are being conducted as part of activities for the Caribe Wave 2020 exercise, being executed by the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), through the Technical Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards.

All messages on air and via social media will be tagged “exercise, exercise, exercise”.  However, if there is an actual event, persons will hear the message “no play”.

Persons who have not yet signed up to receive email notifications are encouraged to do so by visiting www.dem.gov.bb, and following the prompts.

Alternatively, they may also download the CAP.CAP application for android devices from the Google Play Store, or the CAPCAP or OPTIMIT for Apple devices through the Apple store.

In addition, evacuation drills will be conducted in Half Moon Fort, St Lucy; Speightstown, and Sweet Home Road, St. Peter.

As a result, officials at the DEM are advising that there will be an increase in activity in and around these areas during the morning of Thursday, March 19.  Members of the public have been assured that there is no need for alarm.

Barbados is presently marking Tsunami and Earthquake Smart Month, which runs from March 1 to 31, under the theme Road to Tsunami Recognition: A Vision for 2020.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest