Hazard Management Execs Refresh Skills

Members of the National Hazard Management Executive recently (June 28) participated in an annual hurricane exercise, at the Government Administration Building, aimed at both preparedness and aftermath of Category 3+ storms.

Dubbed, ‘Hurricane Avalon’, the exercise featured a number of areas that members of the Executive collectively has to consider in the event of a hurricane and its impact on the Cayman Islands.

The National Hazard Management Executive is the ultimate strategic decision-making authority in the national emergency response structure in the Islands and is co-chaired by the Governor and Premier.

Other members of the Executive include the Deputy Governor, Cabinet Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Attorney General, Chief Officer with responsibility for Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), Cabinet Secretary, Commissioner of Police, District Commissioner and the Director of HMCI.

The Executive becomes operational when the National Emergency Operations Centre is activated to respond to a hurricane threat or other disaster.

During the session, HMCI Director Dani Coleman provided an overview of the activities of the afternoon which covered community vulnerability index which will help identify areas and persons at higher risk from disaster impacts. She also gave details of the Cayman Islands Government Internet of Things (IoT) Flood Sensor Pilot Project, which is currently in the installation phase.

Participants were also provided information on the various changes to the national response structure which is more in line with the United Kingdom’s Incident Command System and structures.

Cayman Islands National Weather Service Forecaster Shamal Clarke also gave an overview of the seasonal forecast for the 2023 hurricane season.

The ‘Hurricane Avalon’ exercise was named after Meteorologist Avalon Porter, who recently retired from the civil service in June after dedicating 42 years to the Cayman Islands National Weather Service.