Emergency Preparedness in Question Amid Fire Response Shortcomings

Today’s press conference with the emergency players highlighted the level of preparedness that was displayed in the response efforts in the fires as well as the response to humanitarian needs.  In many cases, calls went unanswered by the National Fire Service, and in some cases there were insufficient fire trucks or personnel to respond to the emergency calls.  Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez, told the media today that it would be unfair to make a claim that the government was unprepared.  

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management: “It’s unfair to say that we were not prepared. I think NEMO and the entire department especially the work that we’re doing you can see the cohesion, the alignment of these different departments. We’re talking about BWSL they’re aware as well of our wells running dry, in terms of the Ministry of Health concern of whether the water is contaminated so it’s unfair to say that. I disagree and I’m saying that right now our government and our people are very well prepared. We’re talking about a government that is only 400,000 people here so where do you get all the human power if you want to reach ? But I am satisfied looking at the assessment, the figures and the data which is important, raw data that we’re providing you like never before and the media in particular has been provided with all the information and completely transparent so I think that this is where we have to be fair and give credence where it’s due.”