By The Star Staff
In response to concerns regarding compliance with emergency protocols in the coastal areas of Puerto Rico, Sen. Nitza Moran Trinidad, who chairs the Committee on Economic Development, Small Business, Banking and Commerce in the upper chamber, introduced a measure Tuesday to conduct a study on the administration, implementation and effectiveness of the TsunamiReady program at the local level.
The initiative comes in the wake of a tsunami warning issued on Feb. 9, for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, that revealed inconsistencies in the execution of emergency protocols among several coastal municipalities.
The Feb. 9 event highlighted serious concerns about the preparedness of island municipalities in the face of a tsunami threat, Moran said.
“We cannot afford failures in responding to this type of emergency, as they put lives at risk,” she said. “It’s alarming that some municipalities lack operational sirens or do not have them at all. We must ensure that established protocols are effectively followed to protect citizens.”
The study, to be conducted by the Senate committees on Public Safety & Veterans Affairs and Municipal Affairs, will evaluate the following:
* Response time and effectiveness of alert activation protocols.
* Coordination between state and municipal agencies.
* Availability and functionality of sirens in coastal areas.
* Communication strategies with citizens and evacuation routes.
* Identification of municipalities lacking alert systems and potential solutions.
Currently, 46 municipalities in Puerto Rico have received TsunamiReady recognition from the National Weather Service (NWS). However, the warning on Feb. 9 demonstrated that such certification does not necessarily guarantee an adequate response to a real emergency at the municipal level or clarity on how citizens should act during such events.
“It is essential to thoroughly review which municipalities genuinely comply with the TsunamiReady criteria and which ones need support to enhance their evacuation plans and communication with residents,” the senator said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that when a tsunami warning is issued, each community knows how to respond and what to expect.”
The committees responsible will have 90 days to present a report with their findings and recommendations, including any necessary legislative or administrative actions to strengthen tsunami preparedness in Puerto Rico.
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