Port of Spain: Following increased geological activity at the Piparo Mud Volcano over the past month, Minister of National Security, the Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. directed the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) to lead planning and preparation efforts, in the event of an eruption.
The ODPM has been working assiduously with Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Ms. Penelope Bradshaw-Niles, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government (MoRDLG), the University of the West Indies’ Petroleum Studies Unit and the Seismic Research Centre, along with other key agencies and the residents of Piparo, to develop a comprehensive emergency plan, early warning systems and community response mechanisms.
In this regard, the ODPM has coordinated several briefings within the community, with residents being updated at two (2) community meetings on Saturday October 19, 2019.
At those meetings, residents were informed about the volcano’s activities as well as first responders’ capabilities and resources that are available to support them. Residents were also informed of primary and secondary evacuation routes and the location of shelters.
In attendance at the meetings were Chief Executive Officer of the ODPM Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart; Regional Coordinator at the ODPM and Lead Coordinator for the Piparo Initiative Mr. Eric Mackie; Planning and Development Officer Mr. Muhammed Anwar Baksh; Regional Coordinator Mr. Navindra Persad; and Senior Geoscientist of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mr. Xavier Moonan.
The Disaster Management Units of the MoRDLG have also conducted several successful Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training sessions. These sessions were held to equip the residents with disaster emergency response skills such as search and rescue, fire safety and basic disaster medical management.
Through ongoing dialogue, planning and training, the residents are now more empowered and better prepared to respond in the event the mud volcano erupts, as well as any other hazard they may face.
On Sunday October 20, 2019 residents on the western side of the volcano installed and tested a rudimentary siren as an early warning device. This device will be used to alert the community in the event of an eruption or any other community emergency.
Also, on Wednesday October 23, 2019, ODPM staff conducted a walk-through of secondary evacuation routes in the area. Two areas in Hosein Trace have been identified as muster points.
The residents of Piparo continue to express their gratitude for the efforts of the Ministry of National Security and the other key Ministries and Agencies which have been working diligently to prepare and empower them to deal with any eventuality.