- Updates from the Islands -

- - Saba & St.Eustatius - -

- - - 2001 Hurricane Season - - -

- Fw: Government Issues Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 12:15:23 +0200

Press Release - Island Territory of Saba
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)
Phone: (599) 416-3311, 416-3312, 416-3313
Contact Person: Roddy Heyliger, Communications Consultant/SGIS (St. Maarten Cell(599)564217; Phone: (599) 544-3829, Fax (599) 544-3319)
E-Mail: sabagis AT hotmail.com

For Immediate Release: Sunday September 16 2001

Government Issues Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - The Island Government launched last week a 12-page newsletter on hurricane preparedness under the theme, "It's Always Better to be Prepared," Preventing the Loss of Life and Minimizing the Damage to Property.

The newsletter lists the four hurricane emergency shelters, several articles on what scientists are thinking about the 2001 hurricane season, a listing of storms for the season, and a hurricane tracking chart.

The newsletter also provides hurricane preparedness information such as what is a hurricane; the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Categories; how to secure your home; family disaster plan; preparations before the storm; the contents of a disaster supply kit; evacuation procedures; a fire safety factsheet; and a listing of emergency numbers.

The newsletter is available throughout the villages in several grocery stores.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

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Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599) 544-3829
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P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

- Fw: Fort Bay Harbor Suffered No Damages

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2001 20:54:30 +0200

For Immediate Release: Thursday August 23 2001

Fort Bay Harbor Suffered No Damages

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - Harbor Master Alva Hassell told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), that the Fort Bay harbor experienced rough seas, however there wasn't any damages.

Fishermen and other mariners took their small craft out of the water as a precaution while the larger vessels remained moored outside the harbor. The Cargo Vessel Champ was in port during the passing of the Tropical Wave on Wednesday.

According to Harbor Master Hassell, the vessel was able to offload cold storage in the afternoon after the high seas had subsided. The remainder of the cargo was offloaded on Thursday.

Ferry vessels such as The Edge and the Voyager were in port on Thursday bringing over 50 tourists to the island. The inter-island ferries are a very important mode of transportation in relation to bringing tourists to the island.

The harbor is used by the local fishing fleet, dive boat operations, ferries, cargo vessels and yachts.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
MEDPRO - Your E-News Source

Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599) 544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319

P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

- Fw: Schools Closed Earlier Due to Possible Threat of .... - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 19:19:37 +0200

----- Original Message -----

From: AT sintmaarten.net>Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications

To: AT sintmaarten.net>dherald AT sintmaarten.net

Cc: AT sintmartintoday.com>today AT sintmartintoday.com

Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 7:17 PM

Subject: Schools Closed Earlier Due to Possible Threat of .... - SabaGIS

For Immediate Release: Wednesday August 22 2001

Schools Closed Earlier Due to Possible Threat of Boulders Rolling Unto Public Road

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Lt. Governor Antoine Solagnier, told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS) on Wednesday, that very little transpired on Saba in relation to the passing of the Tropical Wave.

The primary and secondary schools were closed earlier than the normal school hours, due to the possible threat of boulders rolling down from the hillsides above the road network linking the different villages.

Solagnier added that in the village of Windwardside, one inch of rain was recorded. "The rain fall was very much welcomed as it would fill the cisterns that are very low or empty. We have had a very dry spell for several months and I am sure that the cisterns are probably all filled," Solagnier said.

Flights to the Juancho Yrausquin Airport were cancelled during the morning hours and early afternoon, according to Lt. Governor Solagnier. The first aircraft landed after 3pm, and it is expected that Winair will be able to carry out normal daily operations as weather conditions continue to improve.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
MEDPRO - Your E-News Source

Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599) 544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319

P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

- Fw: Governor Calls on Residents to Re-check Hurricane Season Preparations - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 19:22:34 +0200

----- Original Message -----

From: AT sintmaarten.net>Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications

To: AT sintmaarten.net>dherald AT sintmaarten.net

Cc: AT sintmartintoday.com>today AT sintmartintoday.com

Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 7:19 PM

Subject: Governor Calls on Residents to Re-check Hurricane Season Preparations - SabaGIS

For Immediate Release: Wednesday August 15 2001

Lt. Governor Calls on Residents to Re-check Hurricane Season Preparations

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Lt. Governor Antoine Solagnier, is calling on residents to check their hurricane disaster kit to make sure that they have all vital supplies in place.

Solagnier told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), that the most active period of the hurricane season is here, and the fourth tropical depression for the season formed in the Atlantic Ocean East of the Caribbean island chain on Wednesday.

"So far for the season, the Atlantic Ocean has been rather quiet, but the period of increase activity is here. Residents should not wait for the last moment to properly secure loose items around their home in order to prevent them from flying around and causing damage to property. Tree branches should be trimmed from around the home.

"Your yard should be cleaned from all debris and non-household garbage. Check the exterior of your homes to make sure windows, doors, garage doors and the roof are protected and re-enforced," Solagnier explained in relation to home protection.

The Hurricane Emergency Shelters for the 2001 Hurricane Season are: Hell's Gate Village Community Center, Scout's Place In Windwardside, the Gymnasium in St. John's, and the EOC Building and part of the Saba University School of Medicine building in The Bottom.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
MEDPRO - Your E-News Source

Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599) 544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319

P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

- Fw: Rain Showers Most Welcome

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Sun, 29 Jul 2001 21:19:59 +0200

----- Original Message -----

From: AT sintmaarten.net>Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 8:12 PM

Subject: Rain Showers Most Welcome

The rain showers were most welcome throughout the entire day. For many weeks the drought has had a serious impact on residents.

The passing wave on Sunday brought heavy rain showers, thunder and lightning, and gusty winds.

Saba Summer Festival activities

The second day of the summer festival parade had to be postponed until Monday due to the weather. Everyone is looking for a sunny clear Monday, the last day of 10-days of Carnival celebrations.

Roddy

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
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- Fw: Hurricane Disaster Preparedness Meetings to be Held Shortly - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 19:12:10 +0200

----- Original Message -----

From: AT sintmaarten.net>Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications

To: AT sintmaarten.net>dherald AT sintmaarten.net

Cc: AT sintmartintoday.com>today AT sintmartintoday.com

Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 7:10 PM

Subject: Hurricane Disaster Preparedness Meetings to be Held Shortly - SabaGIS

For Immediate Release: Tuesday July 24 2001

Hurricane Disaster Preparedness Meetings to be Held Shortly

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - A number of meetings will be held in the coming weeks by Saba's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) officials headed by Chairman Lt. Governor Antoine Solagnier and Disaster Coordiantor/Fire Chief Arthur Hassell.

Solagnier told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), that a meeting will be held shortly concerning the shelter management plan. This would entail a meeting with the Resident Doctor, and representatives from the Saba University School of Medicine.

"We will discuss the operational procedures and responsibilities for the shelter personnel. They will also be required to do assessments in the different villages after the passing of a hurricane. This information will then be communicated to the EOC where we are able to coordinate the type of assistance that would be required for the different villages.

"The shelter staff will be the so-called "first in-team," that can provide us with information on road conditions, whether their blocked due to fallen poles, lines, trees or debris, or are still accessible, the status of homes and businesses," Solagnier explained.

The Chairman of the EOC, added that a recent disaster management workshop involving officials from Holland, Paul Martens from the St. Maarten Department of Emergency Services (HVD), and department heads from Saba, will be followed up with another workshop in October or November.

"The workshop will prepare us for a full blown desktop exercise to be held sometime in January or February. The workshop will bring together the members of the Emergency Support Functions (ESF), the Executive Council, and disaster management officials," Solagnier explained.

The last workshop organized on Saba brought together department heads who were informed about the disaster plan and its importance for the island as well as the different phases that it would entail.

The ESF system and structure was also discussed in relation to how it would function. A small desktop exercise was held entailing a plane crash at the airport.

Department heads were thought how they would deal with the situation in relation to cordoning off the area; setting up a field hospital; and arranging an evacuation of those injured to nearby islands.

"The exercise went very well, but it has to be practiced on a regular basis in order to make sure that everything would go as planned, and that everyone is prepared for any eventualities," Solagnier said.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
MEDPRO - Your E-News Source

Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599) 544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319

P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies

- Exco Decides on Eight Emergency Support Functions - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 19:00:46 +0200

For Immediate Release: Sunday June 16 2001

Exco Decides on Eight Emergency Support Functions

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - The Executive Council in its meeting last week after the National Hurricane Committee met for the first time for the 2001 Hurricane Season, has decided to establish eight Emergency Support Functions (ESF).

Lt. Governor Antoine Solagnier, told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS) that individual meetings will be held with the eight ESF groups to give further detail to tasks and responsibilities.

Another important aspect according to Lt. Governor Solagnier is the human needs assessment teams. He points out, in order to avoid a duplication of activities and work, among non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross and the Saba Disaster Relief Foundation, Social/Civic Organizations, a meeting will be held with these groups to further outline who will be doing what after the passing of a hurricane.

A meeting will also be held with the Hurricane Shelter Management persons pertaining to what will be expected of them. An inspection of the shelters still has to be done. These have already been identified as: the Community Center in the village of Hell's Gate; the Gymnasium in St. John's; the Emergency Operations Center and part of the Saba University School of Medicine Building in The Bottom.

Commissioner responsible for General Affairs Will Johnson, says that the shelter in Windwardside was usually Scouts Place, but since its under new management, the Island Government will have to discuss with the aforementioned if they would still allow part of the hotel to be used as a shelter.

Johnson told SGIS that the involvement of the Executive Council in disaster management is important for the rehabilitation process right after the passing of a hurricane.

"The locally elected government representatives of the people have to be involved. You cannot just put the responsibility all on one person. This should be placed on the Executive Council. We are developing a new disaster management organizational structure that would include such," Johnson explained.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
MEDPRO - Your E-News Source

- Johnson Says to Be Prepared - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 17:29:32 +0200

For Immediate Release: Sunday June 10 2001

Johnson Says to Be Prepared

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - Commissioner responsible for General Affairs Will Johnson, told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS) that everyone should be prepared for the hurricane season 2001.

"The previous prediction of us having an average season has been amended and we can now expect more activity according to the hurricane forecasters. For every season, we should be prepared, however everyone needs to make that extra effort this season.

"Make sure that your yard is clean. Anything that could blow away can become a flying missile causing damage to homes, businesses as well as human injury. Check that your hurricane shutters are working properly, and to survey your roof. After every hurricane, your roof should be surveyed to see that it hasn't shifted. If this is the case, than it may need to be re-enforced with additional screws," according to Johnson.

These are some of the things that need to be carried out in order to ensure that damage to property is kept to a minimal and that the safety of the public is assured.

Forecasters now predict 12 names storms, of which seven would become hurricanes, and of the seven, three would become intense hurricanes of category three or higher with wind speeds of more than 111 miles per hour.

Johnson told SGIS that the Island Government has taken all the necessary precautions and preparations for the 2001 season.

"We have been working on hurricane preparations for several months. All hurricane shutters on government buildings were evaluated and repairs made to those that needed to be fixed.

"Since hurricane Georges in 1998, millions of guilders have been invested in making sure that the medical center, the senior citizens home, public buildings, and the schools, are hurricane resistant. Private homes have also received assistance in relation to rebuilding and making them more hurricane resistant.

"Just about everyone has experienced a hurricane during the past years, and for those who have recently taken up residence on the island, they should contact the Fire Department who will be able to inform them on what preparations should be taken," Johnson concluded.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

- Fw: Hurricane Conference Points Out Weakness in .... - SabaGIS

From: "Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications" <heylrody AT sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001 20:38:43 +0200

----- Original Message -----

From: AT sintmaarten.net>Roddy Heyliger - Public Relations & Communications

To: AT sintmaarten.net>dherald AT sintmaarten.net

Cc: AT sintmartintoday.com>gevelyn AT sintmartintoday.com

Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 9:08 PM

Subject: Hurricane Conference Points Out Weakness in .... - SabaGIS

For Immediate Release: Thursday May 24 2001

Hurricane Conference Points Out Weakness in Disaster Management, And How to Improve and Deal with Such Situations

THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - Lt. Governor Antoine Solagnier, described the 15th Annual Governor's Hurricane Conference at the Tampa Convention Center in Florida, as very interesting, and at the same time, many of the things learnt at the conference can also be applied to a small island like Saba.

Solganier told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), that he was also able to build some strategic relationships with partners and entities that could be of assistance to Saba in the event of a hurricane strike, and if the island required assistance.

"The most interesting part of the conference was the table-top exercise. A mini-city was used to simulate multiple events such as a tornado, a hurricane and explosions taking place all at the same time.

"It was a state of emergency. The group was partitioned into several teams that would be responsible for handling several tasks. Communication was the key to the entire process in relation to mobilization and monitoring the entire plan of action that had to be executed in managing a multiple disaster," Solagnier explained to SGIS.

Solagnier stated that due to the geography of Saba, the island does have a weakness in relation to communications. This was experienced with the last two hurricanes, and a number of measures have been taken to ensure that the different emergency support functions are able to overcome these handicaps.

Another area is the quality of structures on the island. Solagnier points out that the island does have a building ordinance, and a review would have to be done to make sure that the ordinance is up to date with other building codes in hurricane prone areas.

"We also have to assess human needs. This is an area that has to be developed further. In relation to the long-term recovery, one would like to optimize the resources that is available rather than having a duplication of which leads to waste," Solagnier said.

Saba's Disaster Plan was prepared by the Disaster Management Organization of the Netherlands Antilles, Stirana. A uniform model according to the Lt. Governor, was prepared for each island within the Netherlands Antilles.

Based on the aforementioned plan, Solagnier decided it was wise to attend the conference to get an update on disaster management based on what other countries and states experienced.

"The Disaster Plan for Saba is not completed, and will need to be revised and adapted more to Saba's situation and the resources at hand," Solagnier pointed out.

Roddy Heyliger
Saba Government Information Service (SGIS)

Roddy Heyliger
Communications Consultant

MEDPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
"The Value of Knowing First"
MEDPRO - Your E-News Source

Cell (599) 564217, Teleph. (599) 544-3829
Fax: (599) 544-3319

P.O.Box 414, Philipsburg
St. Maarten, Dutch West Indies