Hazards: Take Control FIRE By NEMO Saint Lucia

DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction FIRES HURRICANES VOLCANOES FLOODS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE DEVELOP POLICIES FOR ACTIONS HAVING HIGH BENEFIT/COST FOR THE CARIBBEAN REGION GOAL: REDUCE DISASTER RISK LANDSLIDES EARTHQUAKES MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, brush fire, bushfire, or hill fire, is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wild land areas, but which can also consume houses or agricultural resources. (Wikipedia Encyclopedia). Hazard: Fire

In its annual report for the year 2002 the Saint Lucia Fire Service reported five hundred and seventy-one (571) fires of which twenty- three (23) were commercial. Ward Building Fire – 2004 Photo Credit: UNKNOWN Hazard Defined

In its annual report for the year 2009 the Saint Lucia Fire Service reported that the department responded to a total of seven thousand four hundred and eight (7,408) Ambulance Calls and six hundred and thirty four (634) Fire Calls. Hazard Defined

Source: Isaac 2005 Hazard Defined

THE KEY IS: 1) KNOW THE DISASTER HISTORY OF YOUR REGION 2) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY Preparing for Fire

Discuss the hazard with your family. Prepare a disaster plan. Know the safe zones. Prepare an evacuation plan. Don’t forget your pets! Preparing for Fire

Building code November 30, The Ministry of Planning says a National Building Code for St. Lucia - three years in the making is about to come to fruition. The development of the code has been further prompted by an increase is the destructive nature of natural disasters in recent times, which has been further exacerbated by spontaneous developments in several disaster prone areas of the country. Preparing for Fire As of April 2010 the Building Code has not been adopted

“It is generally accepted that disaster mitigation pays. For example, the World Bank and United States Geological Survey once calculated that economic losses worldwide from natural disasters during the 1990s could be reduced by $280 billion if $30 billion were invested in disaster mitigation and preparedness — a ratio of $7 saved for every $1 spent.” Twigg 2001, p. 3. Preparing for Fire What will you spend your $1.00 on?

Preparing for Fire I want to urge you to act now in getting the insured household percentage up from 35%. I want to challenge you to strive at a 60% figure for this year, no matter how painful the financial cost Dr. Kenny D. Anthony Prime Minister of Saint Lucia January 16, 2005

The four components of an early warning system: 1.Monitor the hazard; 2.Quantify the hazard; 3.A disaster plan to address the hazard; [Wildfire Management Plan, Water Management in Drought Plan] 4.Effective communications for warning. Early Warning Systems

Responding to a Fire

High temperatures Dry land conditions (soil, shrubs, trees, low water table) Dry air conditions (low humidity) A dynamic fire Winds (that change during the day and night) Smoke Effects of Fire

Wildfires are devastating because they move fast Homes must have clear defensible space, 40 feet on all sides Cutting/ clearing can help provide defensible space Effects of Fire

[Ward Building 2004] Photo Credit: Unknown

Photo Credit: HTS [Conway 2004] Effects of Fire

Photo Credit: HTS [Dental Surgery - May 2007] Effects of Fire

St Jude Hospital: September 9, 2009 [ ] Effects of Fire

“All Clear” announcements are not given for Fires. However as long as it remains unsafe the Fire Service will keep the site secured. ALL CLEAR

Family Disaster Plan Family Evacuation Plan Family Disaster Supplies List pliesCalendar.pdf Online Resources National Emergency Management Plan