St Ann ready for the storm

Preparedness for the 2011 hurricane season is on track in St Ann, according to Parish Disaster Coordinator Alvin Clarke.

"We are prepared as we can be. We can never reach that point where I would say we are totally prepared but we are prepared enough to adequately respond to an emergency," Clarke told The Gleaner on Thursday.

"Based on what we have experienced in the past, I am confident we would be able to deal with an emergency at this stage," he added.

Clarke said what is needed is more training for persons involved in emergency service delivery and the overall improvement of their plan of action.

"We are trying to improve our plan of action and the relationship with citizens. We are currently involved in welfare and operation meetings in an effort to try and get things running smoothly," Clarke said.

- Carl Gilchrist

Did you know that Jamaicans are living longer, and for the period 2002-2004 life expectancy at age zero was 74 years (71 years for males and 77 years for females) compared to 69 years in 1976-1978 (68 years for males and 70 years for females)?