After a hurricane hits Bermuda, the Government does everything in its power to not only quickly and efficiently return the Island to normal, but also works hard to prepare and take preventative measures that will keep Bermuda’s residents as safe as possible. Ultimately, this responsibility falls on the shoulders of Randy Horton, Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety. In a recent interview, features writer Sara Westhead sat down and asked the Minister about his role.

RG:How well is Bermuda prepared for hurricanes?

RH: I am the chairman of the EMO executive committee and it is a responsibility I take very, very seriously because of Bermuda’s vulnerability in the event of a serious hurricane. I think Bermudians now are much more aware of the seriousness of hurricanes.

I think Hurricane Emily was the wake up call for people, because up until then, they maybe didn’t take it as serious as they should have. Hurricane Emily caught people by surprise. I know it caught me by surprise.

I can certainly say I was ready to go out on a bike and was asked, ‘Where are you going?’ I had not realised how dangerous it could have been. And really, more importantly, I had not paid attention and been prepared for such a circumstance.

What we do know now that is so important is that the level, the speed and the quality of the information that you get, as far as warnings go, is much advanced. So we are able to know well ahead of time to what extent we need to be preparing and getting our emergency organisation prepared.

Bermuda can be proud of itself. When I look back at Fabian - it was my first hurricane as a Minister and it was a wake up call. I was very impressed with the level of professionalism showed by all sectors of the Emergency Measures Organisation.

What is the Government’s ongoing commitment towards maintaining safety and security?<$>

Our commitment is to provide, as much as possible, safe havens for people who may be hit by hurricanes, to ensure that we have the materials and the tools that are necessary to assist residents in their recovery after hurricanes. All our agencies are prepared.

The Regiment is committed to supporting the Police, who are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents, together with the Fire Service, the Ministry of Health & Social Services and the emergency services at the hospital.

The bottom line is that we are committed to provide the resources and the people who are necessary to address any major hit by a hurricane. The Fire Service is well trained, the Regiment is well trained and the Police Service is well-trained. We’ve got a hospital that, I think, is really excellent in the services they provide. Our commitment is to provide that high level of service to people who may find themselves hit.

Bermuda is in the North Atlantic hurricane basin. In light of last year’s hurricane season, do you think people have anything to worry about?

People have a right to be concerned, because, let’s face it, we sit here in the middle of the Atlantic and, through God’s good grace, we have been hit by hurricanes, but, up to this point, we have never had a hit where we have not been able to handle it, so to speak.

One is always concerned, but with the information that we are able to gather from the weather services and the like, we are usually able to prepare ourselves. I think we are just fortunate to be sitting here with those kinds of protections. But we still cannot take it for granted.

We have to be ever ready and I certainly encourage every single resident to take the approach of the hurricane season seriously, to have their own households prepared for the possible hit of a hurricane at any time.

It was amazing what we were able to achieve after Fabian.

To have Bermuda up and running within about three days - businesses were up and running that Monday.

I was supposed to go to the US Open. I’ll never forget, I had a Minister ready to cover for me. And then, when I saw what was coming, I said, ‘No, no. If you’re the Minister of Public Safety, you can’t be off the island when a hurricane hits.’ I am so happy I did not go.

How do you think Bermudians demonstrate their fortitude in the face of hurricanes?<$>

I think the one thing that happens is I have never seen Bermudians come together as much as during or after hurricanes. People just help each other out.

You know, Bermudians are tough. They get up quickly when they have been knocked down.

If I reflect on Fabian, and even way back to Emily, when you saw the level of co-operation and care that people had for each other, sometimes you want to say, ‘Why don’t we have a hurricane every day!’ I wish people provided that kind of support for each other all the time, but certainly, situations like that bring out the best in people.

What advice do you have for the public?

Take nothing for granted. The fact that we have good weather today does not mean that tomorrow is going to be the same. Get yourself well prepared.

If you are prepared and nothing happens, then fine, but if you are not prepared and something happens, then disaster can take place.

My advice to people is...to think about what they can do to prepare themselves and their households in the event of a hurricane.

Certainly, if people want assistance in terms of how to prepare, then they can call the Police, or the Ministry of Public Safety or Works and Engineering to get advice.

Read this supplement thoroughly and obey the instructions of the authorities on the day.