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In October of 2010 Belize City had a major wakeup call after Hurricane Richard devastated the coastal areas of the Southside. So this year, CEMO is taking no chances. After the meeting, Deputy Mayor, Philip Willoughby outlined some of the measures the organization will be taking to protect the city.

Phillip Willoughby - Security and CEMO
"What has transpired this year I can say that inspections were done by the engineers that went along on that tour and the city engineer did they inspection and evaluation. They (engineers) made their suggestion and recommendations to us, we then compile and collate those information. We went and deliberated on those information at NEMO and the a decision has been taken."

"We will be only utilizing the main shelters on the list up to a category 2 hurricane, anything beyond that will be evacuation. Through the other government ministries we try to mitigate development in the water catchment areas and so forth. Land clearing; the type of developments that has been occurring and that will be occurring and so we try to mitigate at the point of inception."

"In the low laying areas again the council has done a very splendid job through the works department and again with the leadership of Mayor Bradley, an excellent job in rehabilitating streets, acquiring equipment to fix these streets, ensuring that the drains are dealt with, ensure that sanitation problems are dealt with. Again whilst the water problem will only be for a limited space of time as a problem, you will see the run off of this water - we are right on target in terms of draining the city."

But these aren't the only protective measures that CEMO will take in this upcoming hurricane season. A major point of contention with the media was the relocation of the CEMO headquarters to the Channel 5 building on Coney Drive.

In the media melodrama that erupted over the issue, the Deputy Mayor assured the media houses that CEMO will do its best to keep the distribution of information fair, prompt and non-preferential - but he seemed to have a hard time convincing some of our colleagues:..

Marion Ali, LOVE NEWS
"It strikes me as interesting because did you ever in your planning consider the rest of the media? Doesn't it put the rest of us at the immediate disadvantage? "

Phillip Willoughby - Security and CEMO
"No, I don't believe so. Firstly all information that would be forwarded to us would be given to all media houses respectively from the National Emergency Management Organization."

"We are saying that the building and the structure at the Channel 5 compound is a better and safer building to be in based on the inspection of the engineers. We are saying that it is better suited for the business of emergency management there rather than that of the Charles Hyde building."

Marion Ali, LOVE NEWS
"In the event of a major storm, the rest of us are stranded, can't get to you but you need to get out a message, then the only option you have would be Channel 5."

Phillip Willoughby - Security and CEMO
"I am telling you that the information that will be disseminated to all media houses will come through NEMO."

Marion Ali, LOVE NEWS
"But during the storm if you need to get across the message and we can't get to you at the Channel 5 building then you only have one option and that it Channel 5."

Phillip Willoughby - Security and CEMO
"Do they broadcast through radio?"

Marion Ali, LOVE NEWS
"No, they broadcast through television. I know because I was there."

Phillip Willoughby - Security and CEMO
"Again, if this is such a concern for yourself we will see how we can facilitate and what I will do is ensure that all information reaches all media houses in a timely efficient manner."

CEMO will continue to meet regularly as the hurricane season approaches.