With hurricane season upon us, Hazard Management Cayman Islands needs hurricane shelter managers – lots of them.
“To be frank, we need as many as we can get,” said Lynda Mitchell, who coordinates shelter operations.
The training sessions will take place over two days on Monday, 6 June, and Tuesday, 7 June, at the Prospect Primary School.
Shelter Operations is a subcommittee of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, the government entity responsible for dealing with hazard threat, planning and recovery.
The training sessions are normally conducted in May, but because of scheduling conflicts this year, they were scheduled for the first week of June instead.
Last year, 119 people attended the training sessions, with about 110 of them completing the training and becoming certified shelter managers, Mrs. Mitchell said. Because there were no emergencies or hurricane threats last year, the shelters did not need to be opened.
This year, the shelter managers will oversee 55 volunteers in 14 shelters, one less than last year.
“East End Primary School came off the list because of renovations,” said Mrs. Mitchell, adding that East Enders will still have shelters at Gun Bay and at the district’s civic centre to which they can go.
The 14 government shelters do not include the shelter in George Town that is operated by the Red Cross.
Last year, large segments of the shelter manager volunteers came from the Red Cross or the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, the Seventh Day Adventist organisation better known as ADRA.
“We get lots of support from ADRA and Red Cross volunteers as well,” said Mrs. Mitchell, who stressed that the shelter managers could be any resident in the Cayman Islands.
“The Island is so diverse, so diversity [in the make-up of shelter managers] is good,” she said, adding that having shelter managers with different skill sets is also advantageous.
The training sessions on Monday and Tuesday begin at 6pm and last for three to three and a half hours each, Mrs. Mitchell said. Those interested in becoming shelter managers can just show up to the sessions, but it’s preferred that they call Mrs. Mitchell in advance on 949-0290 or 925-5346 to let them know they’re coming.
“We do provide a meal for both evenings and we want to make sure we have enough for everyone,” she said.
No previous shelter management experience is necessary, but the volunteer applicants should be responsible, mature, dependable and service-oriented adults with an interest in serving their community.
Shelter Operations subcommittee Chair Deanna Look Loy has noted in the past that being a shelter manager isn’t an easy job, but a necessary one.
“Our wardens are vital in meeting a range of safety and other basic human needs before, during and after hurricanes,” she said. “While some of our previous managers have indicated a willingness to continue to serve their communities, there still remains a need for greater numbers of volunteers.”
The Atlantic Basin hurricane season officially started on 1 June and continues through to 30 November.
This year, forecasters are predicting a very active season for the Atlantic Basin generally, and for the Caribbean specifically.
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