This manual has been produced with the specific objective of
providing clear and straightforward guidelines to ensure the
effective communication of critical information during a volcanic
crisis. The primary aim is to assist the key players, monitoring
scientists, the Emergency Management Committee (or its equivalent),
and the media, in improving mutual interaction through better
understanding and appreciation of their respective agendas,
expectations and limits.
Volcanic activity is a real threat in the Caribbean region,
with an eruption or unrest occurring, on average, once every
12 years during the 20th century, and with the Soufriere Hills
eruption (Montserrat) continuing into its seventh year. While
some volcanoes, such as Guadeloupe's La Soufrière, erupt every
several decades, others are characterized by repose intervals
of a century or more, providing a false sense of security to
communities living on their slopes. Even if a volcano has been
quiet for many centuries, it can become active and enter an
eruptive phase within a few months, making it essential that
a well thought out response is already in place.
The reawakening of Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano after
350 years of repose, highlighted many problems and raised concern
in the volcanic islands of the Caribbean about the most effective
way to deal with a volcanic crisis. Much attention has been
paid to improving methods of volcano monitoring and forecasting
their behaviour. Noticeably less effort has been |
devoted to ensuring that the effectiveness
of communication between key players involved in responding
to an emergency is maximized.
In addition to the continuing crisis on Montserrat, further
lessons involving emergency management during a volcanic event
were learnt following activity at Guadeloupe's La Soufrière
in 1976-77, and on the Soufrière of St. Vincent in 1971 and
1979. It is a reflection of human nature, however, that most
affected individuals soon forget the resultant fear and misery,
often comforting themselves with the thought that another similar
event is unlikely in their lifetime. To help counteract such
complacency, it is vital that we combine lessons learnt during
the crises of the 1970s with recent experiences from Montserrat,
so that future volcanic emergencies can be confronted with greater
confidence. Based upon extensive consultation in the region,
the guidelines presented here reflect the thoughts, experiences,
and recommendations of monitoring scientists, emergency managers
and media representatives involved with the St. Vincent, Guadeloupe
and Montserrat eruptions. It is important that the strategies,
procedures, and examples of good practice recommended in the
manual are taken as starting points that may be modified or
taken further according to circumstances. What may suit one
island may be less fitting for another. The over-arching message
to take from the experiences that the manual incorporates and
develops, is that successful crisis management is built upon
a foundation of trust and cooperation between emergency managers,
monitoring scientists and the media. |
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