The Department of Communication (DCOMM) met recently with the Community Police Officers (CPOs) to explore possibilities on how to communicate better with each other, providing more accurate and up to date information that can be transmitted to the community, Interim Head of the DCOMM Maurice Lake said.
“It was an informative contact meeting. The objective is to share with CPOs what role DCOMM plays in a disaster situation and to share creative ideas of working together since we are now in the peak of the hurricane season. Getting information out to the public and also receiving information from the public is essential during a disaster situation.
“DCOMM as Emergency Support Function ESF-8 once receiving information from the community during a disaster passes this on to the Emergency Operations Center which in turn can delegate resources to a specific area during an emergency situation.
“CPOs play a key role in their respective areas and we want to make sure that everyone are on the same line when it comes to communication. I commend the CPOs for their important role that they play in the community and working together with residents,” Lake said.
The list of DCOMM products were shared and re-introduced to the CPOs and they were given a breakdown of what all communication and social media tools are being used to inform the general public such as media, radio, tv and print, to social media such as Facebook, YouTube, Government’s website, etc.
The community can tune in to SXMGOV Radio 107.9 FM and visit the Department of Communication sites for official information at Government’s information portals of DCOMM’s Facebook/sxmgov, YouTube/sxmgov and website www.sintmaartengov.org.
For more information, please contact the department at 543-1162, or email dcomm@sintmaartengov.org.