The time to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season is now, the junior national security minister said.

Speaking in the Senate on Wednesday, Curtis Richardson, a Government senator whose portfolio also includes Health and Transportation, urged members of the community to sign up to the Treefrog mobile app to get emergency alerts and to familiarise themselves with the emergency radio service.

Robin Tucker, Opposition senator and Shadow Minister for Social Development and Seniors, asked how the hearing-impaired would access information as well as those without an internet connection.

Mr Richardson said: “Now is the time to visit vulnerable neighbours to ask them if they need any help. We should look out for our hearing-impaired community, they can use the Treefrog app for updates as long as electricity is available.”

He said those without internet could use the emergency broadcast channel.

In preparation for the 2021 season, the Emergency Broadcast Facility, 100.1fm, has been relocated to the new Government Tower at Prospect. It is broadcasting at reduced power and power will be increased if needed, Mr Richardson said.

Hurricane Preparedness Week will run from Monday, May 31 to Friday, June 4. Emergency broadcasts will go live each day at 1pm for 30 minutes. There will be a theme each day: Personal Safety; Family Safety; Financial Security; Strengthen your Home; and Community and Neighbours.