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While the Meteorological Office was hosting its press conference in Ladyville, the City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) was holding its own at City Hall. Now CEMO, like the Met office plays a very critical role during disasters when it comes to providing information, updates, shelters, as well as response and rescue efforts. But today the CEMO team reiterated the importance of public awareness and the role the residents play during emergencies.

Darrell Bradley- Mayor, Belize City 
"I don't want us to get pigeonholed into thinking that emergencies to us is hurricanes. There are many threats and risks in our various municipalities and Belize that we need to be aware of. And am very thankful and appreciative of the fact that CEMO is very responsive, so that, the reason why fire was chosen as the theme for this years symposium is because there was a consorted effort and a recognition that we need to raise awareness in relation to other threats. One of the main objectives of this press briefing is really to raise awareness in the public in relation to the work of CEMO, the work of our various partners, so that we underscore the importance of emergency management and the important role that an individual plays on protecting lives and protecting property. We have seen that Belize City, San Pedro and several of our other municipalities were hit by a wave of fires. We have seen loss of life, especially to minors and we must be always mindful that our first and best response is public awareness and adequate strategies at prevention. We need the community to be actively involved in our efforts and that is the only way that we will be fully prepared in the event of any emergency."

"I would like residents to heed the warning especially for those persons who live in the Gungulun area, the Pelican Streets extensions, Antelope extension, Crewman Lagoon area and certain parts of Jane Usher Blvd. When we come and we ask you to move and you hear the warnings via the media, please just listen and move. It's becoming extremely ridiculous that every meeting we attend, why is it that you expose yourself to clear and present danger when you could have moved?"

ACP Chester Williams- OC, Eastern South Division
"As you look at the issue of hurricane, we all know that hurricane is a disaster that can have catastrophic effect on our country. And often time we would receive the warnings of a hurricane- and I must say that the Met Office have done an exceedingly good job in terms of explaining to the Belizean people what category the hurricane will be and what effect that category can have on our country, and the media again have been instrumental in getting the information out into the public- but for some reason or the other sometimes some people just hard headed. They hear the warning they know they live in a low lying area and yet they remain right where they are, refuse move. And when the hurricane is near and they begin to feel the little winds of the hurricane and they feel the house start to shake, then they start to pick up the phone and call the police or call the City Council or call NEMO"

Again, CEMO stresses that residents must keep informed during an emergency such as a hurricane and they should listen to warnings before it's too late. Mayor Bradley says his team will continue going door to door to give out information and tips on disaster preparedness.  Other topics that were discussed at the extended press conference were those dangerous and derelict buildings and vehicles scattered in the city. These structures and cars pose major hazards and the city council is urging the owners of these buildings to cooperate with them in taking them down.