Officials involved in Cayman’s new disaster management agency, Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI). From left: Retired Chief Fire Officer, Kirkland Nixon; Divisional Officer, Fire Services, Rosworth McLaughlin; HMCI Deputy Director McCleary Frederick; Deputy Chief Secretary Donovan Ebanks; the Governor Mr Stuart Jack; Acting Chief Fire Officer, Roy Grant; Leader of Government Business Hon. Kurt Tibbetts; Commissioner of Police, Stuart Kernohan; HMCI Director, Dr Barbara Carby; Chief Secretary, George McCarthy; and Cabinet Secretary Orrett Connor.

George Town, Grand Cayman, January 17, 2007 (Government Information Service) - The Cayman Islands now has an agency responsible for educating residents on threats of disaster while preparing for, responding to, and managing these natural or man-made hazards should they occur.

Named Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), this organisation will formulate plans to deal with any hazard the Cayman Islands could face, ranging from the annual threat of hurricanes to oil spills washing along the beaches, massive explosions, sabotage of the information highway, and terrorism.

This information was revealed Wednesday, 17 January, by the Governor Mr Stuart Jack during a media briefing that was also attended by Leader of Government Business the Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, Chief Secretary Mr George McCarthy, Deputy Chief Secretary Mr Donovan Ebanks, and Cabinet Secretary Mr Orrett Connor.

Within this new structure the National Hurricane Committee will be one of the many sub-groups specialising in dealing with a particular threat. Depending on the disaster or emergency, the relevant specialised sub-group will take a lead role in managing the hazard.

Director of HMCI is internationally accredited disaster management and mitigation specialist Dr Barbara Carby, who heads an office of 10 full-time staff, including persons with expertise in dealing with national hazards.

Governor Jack explained that the idea behind establishment of this agency was to have a comprehensive approach to preventing or mitigating the impact of any disasters that may befall Cayman.

Expressing his satisfaction at the launch of this agency because it fulfils a promise of his administration, Leader of Government Business Tibbetts said: “This agency is now in its infancy, and as it settles in we expect an unfolding of various aspects of preparedness that reflect and fulfil our undertaking of a more disaster-ready existence for all who live here.”

As he welcomed the formation of this agency with full-time staff, Deputy Chief Secretary Ebanks said that in the past civil servants and private sector employees were depended upon not only for their ideas on disaster prevention and management, but also were expected to take all necessary action themselves. He noted that through formation of sub-groups within HMCI, the experiences of these persons could be used by the agency in designing plans to deal with national hazards.

Mr Ebanks spoke of government’s pleasure in being able to recruit Dr Carby to head the agency as her expertise fits Cayman’s needs at this time.

Dr Carby commended the government for adopting this approach to hazard management, which she said is the direction being taken by jurisdictions around the world.

She stressed the importance of awareness programmes involving the public and private sectors, schools, and all persons within communities.

“Every individual must take some responsibility for risk management,” Dr Carby said.

Contact: George Alleyne
Direct line: (345) 914-1772, 525-7853
Tel: (345) 949-8092
Fax: (345) 949-5936, 946-0664
E-mail address: george.alleyne@gov.ky
Official Government Website: www.gov.ky