Dear members,

Please see the attached memo received from Wycliffe Richardson,Coordinator of the Office Disaster Preparedness .

This year, July 9th has been designated as National Hurricane Awareness Day. All businesses are being asked to participate in a national exercise on that day to review and carry out their Hurricane Preparedness Plan.

In an effort to assist members who do not already have a Hurricane Preparedness Plan in place, we have posted a copy of the CHA/CTO Hurricane Preparedness Manual on our web site. The manual has been designed to provide recommendations, tasks and responsibilities for each major department within your establishment and procedures for vulnerability assessment. You can find a copy of the manual at our website www.ahta.ai . The AHTA also has a small number of the books available at our office for those members who are interested in having a hard copy.

The AHTA strongly encourages all members, large and small, to have an efficient Hurricane and other Disaster Preparedness Plan in place and to take part in the National Hurricane Awareness Day on July 9th. Plan guidelines and a checklist will be circulated to all members next week to help you direct your staff in the simulation exercises.

Regards,
Mimi

NATIONAL HURRICANE AWARENESS DAY
With another busy hurricane season predicted this year, efforts are again being put in place to ensure that Anguilla mitigate against any disastrous effects should a hurricane were to hit the island.
A consultation held on June 18th, agreed that Wednesday 9th July 2003, should be declared National Hurricane Awareness Day in Anguilla.
The day should be used to heighten more awareness and to ensure that persons in both the public and private sector are fully aware of what is required of them in the event of a hurricane. Some time during the day should be set aside for persons to practice their preparedness plan. This is an opportunity to identify who is responsible for the designated area (s), how to secure equipment, files and other documents, knowing where hurricane shutters are, tidying up business office surroundings, updating information on staff employed including their address and telephone number for contact.
It is hoped that after the exercise persons will look at the areas and identify lessons learnt to ensure further development of plans.
As far as possible staff personnel should be told early about the preparations of the exercise so that they could be prepared to take part as it is of vital importance that everyone is involved in this important exercise.

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