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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/odpem-richard-thompson.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5898" /><figcaption> Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson (Photo: JIS)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, says significant emphasis must be placed on earthquake preparedness in order to protect the economic gains in Jamaica.</p>
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<p>Speaking at the ‘St Bess Disaster Management Expo 2019’, hosted by the St
Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, in collaboration with ODPEM, in Black River,
on Friday, August 23, Thompson noted that based on Jamaica’s geographic
location, the country is vulnerable and can be hit with a major earthquake at
any time.</p>
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<p>In that regard, he is urging citizens to take charge of their own
readiness by putting measures in place to ensure their safety in the event of a
major earthquake.</p>
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<p>“It is important that we are placing emphasis on earthquake preparedness
and earthquake mitigation practices, and one of the ways to do that is to
ensure that you are hardening your infrastructure and you are looking at your
building codes and your systems of construction,” Thompson said.</p>
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<p>He further explained that while Jamaicans adhere to good building
practices, ODPEM remains focused on continuous mitigation and disaster risk
reduction measures.</p>
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