3/8/2010 4:41:00 PM Hurricane Committee urged to follow Bermuda's planning model Opening remarks to the World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee by Lt. Col. David Burch
David Burch
MONDAY, MAR. 8: Mr. Bill Read (Director of the National Hurricane Center) and Chair of the Hurricane Committee, Mr. Koji Kuroiwa representative of the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, Dr. Derrick Binns - Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, and of course our very own highly regarded Dr. Mark Guishard - Director of the Bermuda Weather Service, Members of our Emergency Measures Organisation.
Distinguished delegates - all, Good Morning and welcome to this 32nd session of the World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee and a particularly warm welcome to our lovely Island home - Bermuda.
I wish to extend a special welcome to the representatives who join us from the US National Hurricane Center. Thank you for your invaluable support and advice through the many hurricanes we have endured, or otherwise brushed by Bermuda. Your coordination with our Bermuda Weather Service thankfully allows us to enjoy an excellent early warning system. Indeed the level cooperation that is evident within your discipline is an example from which other facets of society could learn.
Your collective sharing of data, resources and knowledge towards the common goal of protection of life and property, is to be applauded. This local, regional and global effort transcends geographical boundaries, political ideologies and socio-economic factors, and can only continue to work effectively to serve us all well.
It also makes my job as Chair of the EMO considerably easier when provided with timely, reliable and competent advice.
I am especially gratified to learn that the director of the Haiti Meteorological Service is able to join you for this meeting. It is a testament to the importance of your deliberations that Mr. Ronald Semelfort is able to join us - welcome to you sir. I think it is safe to say the entire world and especially this region are rallying to your country's aid.
I understand that you will hold a special session regarding regional support for Haiti's Meteorological Service during the upcoming Hurricane Season.
Clearly, Haiti's population is more vulnerable than usual to the risks from hurricanes, so I encourage you to give special consideration to these matters as you continue your good efforts toward the protection of life and property in our region generally and Haiti in particular.
For those of you, who have not had the pleasure of visiting us before; let me say a few words about Bermuda. We are a country of 21 square miles, 650 miles from the closest point of land (North Carolina, in the eastern United States of America). We enjoy the cool weather of the mid-latitudes in the winter, and the heat and humidity of the tropics during summer. Our drinking and bathing water comes from the 55 inches of rain each year, some of which you will no doubt experience during your stay. We have 75 miles of coastline, and all of it is vulnerable to the impact of hurricanes.
Fortunately for us, we have not suffered from Major hurricanes with any great frequency as has been prevalent elsewhere in the region. Our subtropical location in the deep ocean and our reef platform afford us a measure of protection. However, we have had our share of terrifying experiences, the last of which was Category 3 Hurricane Fabian in September 2003. Fabian caused a change in the way we conduct business regarding our reaction to hurricanes. It is significant to note that, at that time, we had not had such a direct impact from a hurricane since 1987, and complacency had become the norm at many levels of society.
Fabian, for us, was a wake-up call at a cost of four lives, hitherto unheard of for decades. If you will forgive the pun, every cloud has a silver lining, and I am happy to report that our Emergency Measures Organisation has strengthened considerably since Hurricane Fabian's impact. When combined with the great improvements made in the forecasting arena in recent years, this has been a recipe for success. It is heartening to note that there has been recognition within the meteorological fraternity that a forecast without advice or action is a wasted effort.
Likewise, if we as emergency planners and decision-makers do not instruct the forecasters of what is useful information, there is the risk of a potentially fatal disconnect. On our Emergency Measures Organisation, the Director of the Bermuda Weather Service not only acts as an advisor, but as an active enthusiastic participant in the decision-making process.
This is a model for emergency planning and action that I highly recommend. One of the lessons learned from our activities on the EMO, not only for hurricanes, but for any emergency, is that communications are vital. Communications between emergency managers, the meteorological service, government departments, businesses and the public are equally as important in the pre-season phase, as before, during and after the onset of damaging impact.
Having robust, clear and concise standard operating procedures in your EMO is critical for the successful outcome of a major event such as a hurricane, and those SOPs must include accurate, timely and regular communications. Communications can make all the difference between a prepared and safe public that takes a storm in its stride, and a disaster that brings major human and economic losses. I encourage you to take these matters under advisement, and wish you every success during your deliberations here in Bermuda.
I mentioned earlier some statistics on Bermuda - what I didn't mention is that we are the friendliest people in the world and while you will have weighty discussions. So don't let Dr. Guishard work you so hard that you do not have an opportunity to enjoy some down time. I implore you to also enjoy some of the delights of Bermuda and take full advantage of our world renowned hospitality.
Now, without further ado, I am delighted to declare this 32nd Session of the World Meteorological Organization Hurricane Committee officially open and I wish you much success in your deliberations. Thank you.
