The Ministry of Works and Engineering is fully prepared to clear the Island's roads of trees and other debris in the event of a hurricane.

And regular meetings and assessments are continuing to ensure that all personnel are knowledgeable of their role should a storm break out.

Although most people are familiar with the Fire, Police and Bermuda Regiment elements in the emergency services' equation, a lesser known factor in that system is the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

"Our job if a hurricane were to strike is to ensure that all public roads are clear so that the emergency vehicles can operate,'' said Chief Highways Engineer Mr. Dave Woodward.

"To accomplish this, the Island has been split into five divisions and each division is further divided into units. The operation would involve hundreds of people with control exercised from the Bermuda Police Services' communications and operations headquarters.'' The divisions are located at the St. George's Corporation depot, the Ministry of Works and Engineering quarry in Bailey's Bay, the Botanical Gardens garage off Point Finger Road, the Bermuda Regiment headquarters at Warwick Camp and the Port Royal golf course.

There are temporary dump sites to off-load trees and debris in various areas between St. George's and Dockyard.

Five hurricane boxes, in St. George's, Bailey's Bay, Pembroke, Paget and Southampton, would also be used. They contain items such as rain suits, battery operated search lights, rope, chain saws and heavy duty gloves to be used by work crews to clear the roads.

"I think our capabilities and planning are excellent,'' Works Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said.

"We are concerned that in the event of a national disaster our emergency services can react quickly so that our emergency vehicles can get through.

"Our primary concern is the safety of road users and we would ask the public to cooperate with us so that we can get our job done.

"Our staff is trained and organised. I hope they never have to be used.'' CHAINSAW MINISTER -- Chief Highways Engineeer Dave Woodward explains the intricacies of the chainsaw to Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons. The saw is among the tools held in five hurricane boxes around the Island which would be used to clear the roads of trees and other debris if a major storm were to strike.