“Bermuda: Ready, Recovered, Resilient”
Premier and Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley said in the House of Assembly on Friday [May 15] that he was able to share “Bermuda’s story about our resilience as a community in the wake of hurricanes” at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida, which was held on May 13.
Premier Dunkley said, “The invitation to Bermuda came as a result of the record recovery this community achieved in the wake of Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo. Our return to normality was the subject of discussion outside our shores and it was an honour to set out for the hundreds of attendees just how we work together around events like these.
“I chose as my title: “Bermuda: Ready, Recovered, Resilient”. I took the opportunity to highlight our level of preparedness and community awareness around what needs to be done to secure our property and to keep each other safe.
“The role of the EMO was emphasized both as a directing organization in advance of, and following any storm.”
Slideshow showing some of the damage from Hurricane Gonzalo
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“I was especially proud to discuss our resilience as a community and to outline how our onshore business activity in insurance and reinsurance connects us to the US and the state of Florida in particular.
“As I reflect on this Conference and the positive reception received when sharing how Bermuda manages natural disasters, I am reminded of the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of our uniformed services, throughout Public Works and at all levels within the Public Service and the private sector who regularly come together and work exceptionally hard to return our communities to normality after every storm.
“Honourable Members will be aware that between 2001 and 2012, estimates indicate that Bermuda companies paid $37 billion dollars in catastrophe claims in the USA. This included such terrible storms as Katrina, Wilma and Rita.
“Their work and commitment makes the story I was privileged to tell in Florida possible.”
The Premier’s full statement follows below:
Mr. Speaker, throughout Bermuda’s history we have been recognized as skilled craftsmen, productive farmers and innovative business-people. Our leadership in these various areas has caused us to be modelled by other jurisdictions and over time we have had the opportunity to share our best practice with the world.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this Honourable House of one such opportunity this week where I was invited to share Bermuda’s story about our resilience as a community in the wake of hurricanes.
On Wednesday, 13th May I addressed the 2015 Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference in Orlando, Florida. The theme of the conference was “Rethink Resilience – Connecting Capabilities for Stronger Communities”. The invitation to Bermuda came as a result of the record recovery this community achieved in the wake of Hurricanes Fay and Gonzalo. Our return to normality was the subject of discussion outside our shores and it was an honour to set out for the hundreds of attendees just how we work together around events like these.
Mr. Speaker, I chose as my title: “Bermuda: Ready, Recovered, Resilient”. I took the opportunity to highlight our level of preparedness and community awareness around what needs to be done to secure our property and to keep each other safe. The role of the EMO was emphasized both as a directing organization in advance of, and following any storm.
Mr. Speaker, I was especially proud to discuss our resilience as a community and to outline how our onshore business activity in insurance and reinsurance connects us to the US and the state of Florida in particular. Honourable Members will be aware that between 2001 and 2012, estimates indicate that Bermuda companies paid $37 billion dollars in catastrophe claims in the USA. This included such terrible storms as Katrina, Wilma and Rita.
Mr. Speaker, the speech was well received and it was an honour to represent Bermuda at this important event.
Mr. Speaker while at the conference, I had the good fortune to chat with Florida Governor, Rick Scott. The Governor is a very progressive individual who has great ambitions for his state. He too is committed to making Florida a leader for business and job creation.
Mr. Speaker, I also had an opportunity to meet with Dr. Richard Knabb, the Director of NOAA’s National Hurricane Centre. He is a tremendous supporter of Bermuda and is very familiar with the team at the Bermuda Weather Service, and had nothing but positive things to share about the BWS, Kimberley Zuill and her colleagues.
He also indicated some of the new services and products that the NHC will be announcing this year in the lead up to the start hurricane season and he feels the new tools will assist disaster managers and coordinators in better understanding a storms projected path.
Rounding out my meetings at the conference, Mr. Speaker, I met with Bryan Koon, the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. He shared some of his best practices with me regarding emergency management and was very keen to develop and nurture a partnership with Bermuda.
Mr. Speaker, as I reflect on this Conference and the positive reception received when sharing how Bermuda manages natural disasters, I am reminded of the professionalism and dedication of the men and women of our uniformed services, throughout Public Works and at all levels within the Public Service and the private sector who regularly come together and work exceptionally hard to return our communities to normality after every storm.
Their work and commitment makes the story I was privileged to tell in Florida possible.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
“Bermuda: Ready, Recovered, Resilient”. I’m sure it had been a great presentation and the title, well…”blew me away”
You are usually the one doing all the blowing. Surprised that you got blown this time?
Sounds better then Fuzzie.
“Recovery” still ongoing for many, boats up on the shoreline, roofs still not repaired, damage remaining untouched 7 months later…
So I guess you somehow are only have trouble with your vision when it comes to the OBA and hurricanes??? There is still to this day boats at ferry reach that have been laying against the shoreline sinse hurricane Fabian!!! Hope this helps your vision problems????
That’s not the Governments problem, just like these same issue were never taken care of by the former P.L.P. Governments. It’s the property / boat owners issue and for them to deal with. Go to a bank for loans or friends for assistance in getting your boats off of the rocks e.g. floating and roof on your house/s.
I don’t own a boat you OBA stooges, neither do I support the PLP, or the OBA. Fact remains the island is still a mess 7 months later, so “recovered” refers to the well off. Kangoofool, you really need to attend some remedial english classes, your spelling and grammar are atrocious for someone who claims to run a business. Raymond, your suggestion people go to the bank for loans at over 7% whilst they pay 0.04% to use your savings shows how out of touch you really are, comments should be judged on substance not volume.
@ sage: “Raymond, your suggestion people go to the bank for loans at over 7% whilst they pay 0.04% to use your savings shows how out of touch you really are, comments should be judged on substance not volume.”
My points are quite clear so please, don’t attempt twisting them…
That’s it! I’m signing you and your comrade up for english 101.