PHILIPSBURG--A packed programme of activities has been put together for the “Taking Charge” hurricane expo, which will be held at the Belair Community Centre this Saturday, August 4, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
A number of presentations will be made during the expo from 9:00am to 12:00noon. Presentations will be made by representatives of the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) 3 (Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI), ESF 5 (police) and ESF 7 (social services) as well as by K1 Britannia Foundation about relief supplies and distribution.
ESF 10 (Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication TEATT) will be talking about tourists and businesses; the Red Cross Foundation will deliver a presentation on basic life-saving techniques; Animal Defenders Foundation will speak about what to do with your pets during a storm; and representatives of two insurance companies will speak about insurance do’s and don’ts.
A cook-off competition will be held from 12:00noon among a number of young local persons. Participants will be cooking hurricane food with items that can be used after a hurricane such as canned and dry goods. A variety of foods will be available and Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin urges the public to go out and support the participants.
Vendors participating will be from the St. Maarten Red Cross, K1 Britannia, Too Cool To Loot, Association of Psychologists and Allied Professionals, St. Maarten Nature Foundation, Kooyman, Prime Distributors, Cost Pro Supermarket, Sunny Foods Supermarket, Rollfix Caribbean Hurricane Shutters, Simpson Bay Pharmacy, Professional Roofing, Henderson Insurances and NAGICO Insurances.
Romeo-Marlin said the military and Fire Department might be participating as well, but the details of this are still being worked out.
Romeo-Marlin said that as Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), it is her duty to ensure that the country is prepared and people are informed and made aware to prepare for the hurricane season and for any disaster that can happen at any moment. She urged the public and businesses to attend the expo to seek solutions.
