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- Updates from the Islands -- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - - |
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- Update | |
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- Gusty Winds & Scattered Showers from Strong Tropical Wave | |
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- Fringes of TS Jerry Being Experienced | |
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- Fw: Spanish Print, Radio & TV Media Providing ..... - SxmGIS | |
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- Everything Back to Normal After Passing of Tropical Wave | |
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- Fw: Police & Youth Health Care to be Featured in Hurricane Awareness... - SxmGIS | |
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- Report 1: Tropical Wave Causes Some Disruptions | |
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- Mini-EOC Meeting Held on Thursday | |
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- Experiencing Gusty Winds from TS Chantal Remnants | |
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- Fw: Radio Stations to be Linked to Emergency Alert System... SxmGIS | |
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- "Be Prepared, Facing the Threat Together" | |
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- Rain, Gusty Winds, and Rough Seas from Tropical Wave | |
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- Fw: Lt Governor: Active Hurricane Activity Months Approaching, Be Prepared - SxmGIS | |
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- Fw: Operation Hurex |
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 3:26 PM
Subject: Operation Hurex NEWS RELEASE
Prepared by Roddy Heyliger, Communications
Consultant (Cell 564217) for the St. Maarten Government Information
Service,
Dep t. Head David R.A. Christian Cell 562529, Tel. 543-1162, 542-4119, Fax 543-1169 For Immediate Release: Friday June 08
2001
Operation Hurex to Get Underway Next
Week
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) - Operation Hurex
(Hurricane Exercise) involving approximately 100 emergency, disaster management
personnel and marines, will get underway next week Monday on St. Maarten,
according to Commander of the St. Maarten Fire Department/Coordinator of the
Department of Emergency Services (HVD).
This is in preparation for the 2001 Hurricane
Season. Salomon explained that this operation is needed to make sure that
from an operational approach in a disaster situation, all agencies involved know
exactly what their roles and tasks are in order for things to run in an
efficient manner.
The practical part of Operation Hurex will be
conducted on Wednesday June 13 and will take place in the non-residential areas
of Cay Bay and Mullet Bay. This type of operation is carried out at the
beginning of every hurricane season bringing together the Royal Dutch Marines,
Police, Fire Department, Voluntary Corps of St. Maarten and several other
agencies.
Hurex is very important for the military
officers who provide assistance to St. Maarten during a hurricane threat.
According to
Salomon, they need to be aware of the environment that they may be called up to provide assistance. A group of 43 marines will arrive on the island
Monday June 11 for the one-week operation in the Dutch Windward Islands.
Those involved in the exercise on St. Maarten will be based at the Raoul Illidge
Sports Complex.
The Marines will also familiarize themselves
with the disaster management system and the people involved, and also visit and
get acquainted with the locations of the Hurricane Shelters.
The Fire Department personnel will demonstrate
the use of certain disaster equipment and fire fighting techniques, as this is
part of the ongoing training cooperation between the Fire Department and the
Royal Dutch Navy.
The Royal Dutch Marines will also carry out
operations on Saba and St. Eustatius. Seven marines will go to each of the
two islands while 29 will be on St. Maarten.
Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by
informing.
"The Value of Knowing First" MEDPRO - Your E-News Source MEDPRO - specialised in Corporate
PR,
Government Communications, Youth & Tourism Communications, Online Services, Public & Private Sector Lobbying, Caribbean/Global Media Placement, Special Projects, Marketing/Advertising Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599)
544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319 P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies |
- Fw: Salomon Urges Populace to Be Prepared this Hurricane Season - SxmGIS |
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 6:21 PM
Subject: Salomon Urges Populace to Be Prepared this Hurricane Season
- SxmGIS NEWS RELEASE
Prepared by Roddy Heyliger, Communications
Consultant (Cell 564217) for the St. Maarten Government Information
Service,
Dept. Head David R.A. Christian Cell 562529, Tel. 543-1162, 542-4119, Fax 543-1169 For Immediate Release: Thursday May 31
2001
Salomon Urges Populace to Be Prepared this
Hurricane Season
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) - The message
coming from Fire Commander Winston Salomon for the 2001 Hurricane Season that
officially opens June 1 is "to be prepared."
Salomon is urging all residents to review their
situation at home and to check their hurricane emergency kit at the beginning of
the season to see that everything that would be needed in the event of a
hurricane threat is already in place.
The business community including hotel
properties should also review their pre-hurricane strike plans and take all
necessary measures that need to be taken now so that each and everyone can be
ready in the event of a possible hurricane threat.
Salomon told the Government Information Service
(GIS) on Thursday, that the Department of Emergency Services (HVD) has been very
busy during the past months putting various things in place in relation to
disaster preparedness and management.
"We don't want residents and the business
community to wait until the last minute to rush repairs and gather supplies of
essential things at the last minute. Everyone should be prepared from the
very beginning of the season. Whatever needs to be done around the home or place of business should be done as soon as possible," Salomon points out. Experts forecast a normal season, however, warn
that on average one major hurricane makes landfall somewhere in the Caribbean
during a normal season.
"A normal season doesn't mean that we have to
let our guard down. Last year we were very lucky and were spared the wrath
of a serious hurricane. The forecasts for 2001 should not leave the nation
becoming complacent this season," Salomon said on Thursday.
Commissioner responsible for the Fire
Department/HVD Theo Heyliger, told the GIS that he fully agrees with Salomon's
comments, and adds, "An ounce of preparation is better than a pound of
cure."
The HVD in conjunction with the GIS will be
implementing an awareness campaign throughout the six-month hurricane
season.
The mobility pass system that started March 15 and concluded May 1, led to 660 passes being applied for by the private sector. This is also one of the projects in preparation for the 2001 season. A meeting has already been held with the Red
Cross, Sector Social Welfare, and Sector Environmental Development &
Property Management concerning the hurricane shelter management
program.
A number of government bodies have also
submitted their hurricane plan of action programs that will be included in the
National Hurricane Plan. Semi-private entities such as the utility company
GEBE have also submitted a plan of action to HVD.
In the coming weeks a number of meetings will be
held between HVD officials and private organizations such as the Sea Rescue
Foundation and others concerning preparations for the 2001 season. Salomon
states that his department is looking forward to working with the
non-governmental organizations on this front.
The United States National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is predicting between eight and 11 storms, of
which five to seven will develop into hurricanes, with two becoming major
hurricanes with wind speeds of 111+ miles per hour.
Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by
informing.
"The Value of Knowing First" MEDPRO - Your E-News Source MEDPRO - specialised in Corporate
PR,
Government Communications, Youth & Tourism Communications, Online Services, Public & Private Sector Lobbying, Caribbean/Global Media Placement, Special Projects, Marketing/Advertising Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599)
544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319 P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies |
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