Hurricane Preparedness Week will be observed this week, the Ministry of National Security has advised.

The Ministry said the event is happening earlier than usual due in part to the increased activity surrounding the America’s Cup and also to coincide with the United States’ hurricane awareness observation.

Senator Jeff Baron, the national security minister, convened an Emergency Measures Organisation to review Government’s disaster readiness for the season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

EMO members in attendance included co-chair, Acting Police Commissioner Paul Wright, Deputy Governor Ginny Ferson, and key representatives from the Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, the Ministries of Public Works, Tourism Development and Transport, Social Development and Sport and Belco.

Matters discussed included the Bermuda Weather Service’s 2017 storm overview, EMO agency readiness and Hurricane Preparedness Week activities.

Mr Baron said in a press release: “Even though we are a few weeks away from the start of hurricane season, we felt it was important to convene an EMO meeting to assess our severe storm and hurricane protocols.

“As all of Bermuda can appreciate this is an incredibly busy time for our security services personnel, as representatives who are part of the EMO are also members of the Joint Agency Command Centre, the body charged with overseeing the safety and security of the America’s Cup.

“There has been a great deal of agency collaboration over these past several months, so what is evident is that our emergency readiness and protocols are current.

“Our island historically has prepared well for storms, however our message as we head into hurricane season is not to become complacent.

“And we encourage members of the public to tune into the Emergency Broadcast Station to learn more about various aspects of preparedness which we believe will greatly assist the community.”

During Hurricane Preparedness Week, the Bermuda Government’s Emergency Broadcast Facility 100.1FM will air from 2pm to 2.30pm, and will feature daily preparedness information including the following:

• Monday: personal safety. Updating personal plans, ensure first aid kits are stocked, update medications, stocking up on hurricane supplies, securing pets and having adequate power sources for mobile phones, tablets.

• Tuesday: family safety. Updating plans for families, seniors.

• Wednesday: financial security. Overview of insurance of properties, vehicles, securing sensitive documents.

• Thursday: strengthening homes. Undertaking repairs around the home, trimming trees, securing vehicles.

• Friday: checking on the community and neighbours. Assisting vulnerable neighbours, assisting schools or churches in the community.