8.30 am
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management wishes to remind the public that preparedness measures must continually be applied. Although we are in the Hurricane season, Trinidad and Tobago is vulnerable to other hazards like earthquakes.
The UWI Seismic Research Unit confirmed that an earthquake of a preliminary magnitude 4.0 occurred near Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 9.32 pm. The preliminary location for the event was 10.77?N 62.24?W and was reportedly felt in Port-of-Spain, Lopinot, San Fernando and St Augustine.
Before an earthquake:
- Bolt heavy furniture, water tanks, water heaters, gas cylinders and storage units to walls or floor.
- Place largest and heaviest items on lower shelves
- Emergency items and equipment such as canned foods, water, medication, flashlights, battery-operated radios, fire extinguishers and a First Aid kit should be readily available and working properly
During an earthquake:
- STAY CALM. DO NOT PANIC
- If inside, stay inside. Do not run out of the building
- If inside, stand in a strong doorway or get under a sturdy desk, table or bed and hold on. (DUCK, COVER and HOLD)
- Do not use elevators or stairs
- Move away from windows, mirrors, glass doors, pictures, bookcases, hanging objects and heavy objects
- If outside, stay away from glass buildings, electricity poles, and bridges
- If in a vehicle, do not stop on or under a bridge
After an earthquake
- Do check for broken gas lines and fires
- Do check utilities and switch them off, if necessary
- Do turn on transistor radio for emergency news
- Be prepared for more earthquakes (aftershocks)
- Do check your house/building for serious damage
- Do not light a match or turn on a light switch; use a flash-light instead
- Do not touch fallen power lines
- Do not go sightseeing. Leave the streets clear for emergency and rescue vehicles
- Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in danger of further injury.
The public will be advised when necessary of any developments.
Paul Saunders
CEO