In a proactive move to boost public safety amid recent geological unrest, the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) has announced a collaborative initiative with the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre to host a trio of community-focused public information sessions across three coastal settlements: Galleon, Soufrière, and Scotts Head. The series of meetings is designed to address growing resident curiosity and concern around recent unusual seismic shifts in the region, while also equipping local communities with critical, actionable knowledge about volcano risk and emergency preparedness.
Kicking off the outreach campaign, the first public gathering will be held in Galleon on the evening of Monday, July 27, 2026, starting at 6:00 p.m. Two days later, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, the second session, which will serve residents of both Soufrière and Scotts Head, will open its doors at 6:00 p.m. at the Lama Building. This targeted scheduling is structured to ensure that all affected communities can access the information regardless of their location, the ODM confirmed.
Unlike one-way public announcements, these meetings are designed as interactive forums, giving local residents a dedicated space to voice their personal observations, questions, and anxieties about the unusual seismic activity that has been recorded near their neighborhoods. Attendees will receive direct, evidence-based briefings from leading geoscience experts at the UWI Seismic Research Centre, alongside representatives from other relevant government disaster response agencies.
ODM officials emphasized that the core goal of the initiative extends far beyond information sharing: the sessions are intended to strengthen collective community preparedness and build long-term resilience to geological hazards. By centering public engagement, the office notes, communities can build the foundational knowledge they need to remain informed, ready to respond, and protected in the event of a seismic or volcanic emergency. Officials have urged all eligible residents to set aside time to attend the sessions that correspond to their area of residence.