Montserrat Today
For Monday/Tuesday April 06/07, 1998
Presented by the Information Unit of the
Government of Montserrat's Emergency Department
A newsletter produced 3 times weekly for E mail subscribers and published by the Emergency Department, Governor's Office.
THE VOLCANIC EXPLANATION:
There was a very slight increase in seismic activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano over the weekend, however activity remains relatively low.
On Sunday there were 16 volcano-tectonic, 2 hybrid and one long period earthquakes. The latter preceded one of the seven rockfalls for the day.
Some theodolite meausurements of points on the dome were made over the weekend from fixed positions on the NW side of the volcano. Dust levels at all monitoring stations are low.
NEW CHIEF SCIENTIST AT MVO:
There is a new Chief Scientist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO). He is Dr Willie Aspinall from the United Kingdom who has served in this capacity many times before.
NATIONAL YOUTH FORUM:
A National Youth Forum called by Montserrat's National Youth Council for Saturday afternoon last, attracted around 40 participants from various youth groups on the island.
Youths examined the impact of the volcano on themselves and several made presentations. H.E. The Governor, Mr Anthony Abbott, the Hon Chief Minister Mr David S. Brandt and Minister of Education, Health and Community Services, Hon Mrs Adelina Tuitt were amongst those who attended the forum.
The Council took the opportunity to present Miss Patricia Farrell, a member of the Emergency Dept staff, with a commemorative plaque honouring her outstanding contribution to youth work in Montserrat and the region.
Miss Farrell managed the first media centre in this current crisis and continues to be an integral part of the E.D. organisation.
RED CROSS RECRUITING:
The Montserrat Red Cross Branch is currently recruiting an Executive Director to take over from Mrs Lystra Osborne who is leaving the post.
The local Red Cross is currently undergoing many changes with several established members having left the country. A new Advisory Council has been appointed to take the branch forward to its Annual General Meeting carded for next month.
Recently, the branch received a grant of Canadian $50,0000 from CIDA to construct a Children's Playground in the north of the island.
LPG COOKING GAS DISTRIBUTED:
Following a shipment of LPG to the island over the weekend, the commodity went on sale at the NOSCA complex this morning.
There has been a shortage of LPG in recent weeks following a fire at the Nevis depot where Montserrat's bottles are filled. Montserrat has been regularly shipping empty gas bottles to Nevis for filling since the bulk storage facility in Plymouth was placed off limits after pyroclastic flows impacted the area.
SHELTER POPULATION DROPPING:
The current number of persons in Montserrat living in shelter is 512. This is a drop over recent months. A total of 32 buildings are currently used by the Emergency Dept for shelters.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IN ST JOHN'S:
The Emergency Department in St John's has several units. The main building (the old teacher's house) is the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the radio communications room. The Media Centre is situated in the lower portacabin closest to the large warehouse.
The administration blocks are at the rear of the EOC in several portacabins and members of the public requiring attention should report to the first of these portacabins (immediately behind the EOC) for assistance.
The central telephone number of the entire Emergency Department is 664 491 7166. Please ask for the extension number of the staff you wish to speak to, these are:
Mr Franklyn Michael, Permanent Secretary (27)
Ms Patricia Farrell, Executive Assistant to the P.S. (28)
Mr Richard Aspin, Information Officer (34)
Mr Horatio Tuitt, Logistics officer, Operations (30)
Ms Lydia Ryan, Chief Shelter Liasion Officer (29)
Ms Meredith Lynch, Inventory Manager (32)
Ms Yerland Dyer, Accounts Department (26)
Ms Barbara Bass, Clerk / Receptionist (24)
The fax number of the Emergency Department is 664 491 2474 and there are two E mail addresses: eoc@candw.ag (operations) and: monmedia@candw.ag (the media centre).
More information later in the week...........................
Published by the Education & Information Unit, Emergency Dept St John's Village, Montserrat, Leeward Islands, West Indies. Richard Aspin, Unit Co-ordinator.