Jamaican schools are set to participate in earthquake preparedness activities following the launch of an Earthquake Awareness Campaign on January 14, by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).
JIS News states that under the theme ‘Drop, Cover, Hold, Earthquake Readiness Is Within Our Control’, the campaign has a series of activities scheduled until January 31.
School administrators are urged to use Earthquake Awareness Day, January 17, to improve their institutions’ readiness levels.
The day will feature earthquake safety drills involving employees, teachers, and students practicing the ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ safety procedure.
The ODPEM will host a press launch for this year’s Earthquake Awareness Campaign at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel on Tuesday, January 16.
The event is set to start at 10:00 a.m.
Community engagement and awareness
Earthquake Awareness Displays will be set up at Parish Libraries across the island, fostering community engagement and awareness about earthquake preparedness.
On January 18, both private and public-sector entities are encouraged to conduct earthquake safety drills to reinforce earthquake awareness and readiness.
ODPEM demonstrates preparedness
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) will stage a readiness drill on January 19, showcasing its response capabilities in the event of an earthquake.
Symposium on earthquake preparedness
On January 24, the ODPEM will host an earthquake symposium at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kingston to discuss its preparedness for seismic events.
Culminating road show
The ODPEM Earthquake Awareness 2024 Campaign will culminate in a Road Show on January 31.
This interactive event will facilitate dialogue and knowledge-sharing on disaster events with the public, offering an opportunity for questions and answers.
Jamaica rattled by earthquakes in 2023
Throughout the year 2023, Jamaica has been shaken by an unusual surge in seismic activity, with over 300 earthquakes being documented between January and November.
The Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies in Kingston has been recording these occurrences, shedding light on the unprecedented events.
It has noted 327 local earthquakes from January to November 2023.
Reports are that of the total number of recorded earthquakes, 12 of them were reported to the unit as felt.
Reports are that a 3.8 magnitude earthquake was reported in Kingston, Jamaica in December.
The most prominent event in this seismic activity of last year occurred on October 30th when a powerful magnitude 5.6 earthquake rocked the island nation.
