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The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has designated the month of June as Hurricane Awareness Month.

Under the theme: Building National Resilience Against Hazard Impacts, the department is seeking to raise the level of awareness and education of the public in dealing with natural hazards such as tropical storms, hurricanes and floods.

This was revealed by Programme Officer, Danielle Skeete, last Friday during a Press conference to mark the start of the 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season at the DEM, Warrens, St. Michael.

The month of activities started with a public seminar at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre last Saturday, and will continue on Friday, June 8 with a Public Education and Awareness Exhibition at the West Coast Mall in Holetown, St. James just outside the Supercentre Supermarket from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Director of DEM, Judy Thomas, will be present to address any concerns that the public may have about disaster preparedness.

On Friday, June 15, a similar display will be mounted at National Heroes Square in Bridgetown, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Members of the public who live, work, or are conducting business in any of these areas are invited to attend the exhibitions.

Ms. Skeete said that persons could collect literature on hurricanes and floods, and test their knowledge of emergency management procedures, or address concerns to DEM staff who will be on hand to give advice on hurricane preparedness.

On Sunday, June 10, staff of the DEM will attend their annual church service at the Holetown Methodist Church, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The department will also be participating in the 2012 Tradewinds Exercise during the period June 18 to 22.

"This participation will facilitate testing of certain aspects of the national emergency response system," Ms. Skeete said.

On Monday, June 25, staff of the DEM will acknowledge the work of their volunteer arm – the District Emergency Organisations (DEOs) – during an orientation session for new members and a social evening at DEM headquarters beginning at 5:00 p.m.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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