TTDRM Expo Highlights Tools For Disaster Risk Management
The Trinidad and Tobago Disaster Risk Management 2026 Conference and Expo is showcasing a range of technologies, equipment and services aimed at helping organisations and individuals better prepare for, mitigate and manage disasters.
The three-day Conference and Expo is highlighting the shift from disaster response to risk management, with service providers showcasing technologies designed to identify risks and reduce the impact of disasters before they occur.
Among them was Western Scientific, whose equipment supports infrastructure planning, utility mapping and hazard prevention.
Western Scientific Representative Elisheba Bajnath highlighted some of the tools.
« So in terms of total stations that I spoke about, infrastructure-wise, you want to make sure that everything is up to standard so you don’t have buildings collapsing, basically constructing on different flood plains, things like that, whereas radio detection, in terms of precision locators, you can locate where utility lines are underground, even pipes. »
Flood mitigation also took centre stage.
Presray showcased its flood barrier systems designed to protect buildings and critical infrastructure, while emphasising the importance of early planning and public education.
Director of Sales Kevin Harris says preparation is key to reducing damage.
« What we’re doing is we are going out to provide education, we’re starting to look at risk areas where we know that we need to protect or provide flood protection rather than waiting for a disaster to happen and then come along with flood barriers. We’re trying to educate organisations, government officials, municipalities on preparing in advance by getting flood barriers, flood mitigation systems put in place on their structures. »
Mr. Harris also demonstrated how the flood barriers can be quickly deployed ahead of severe weather.
« They just stack on top of each other, you clamp them into place, the two jambs, they’re permanently attached to the building and then when we know there is a storm coming, the person who owns the facility or the person who is responsible for deploying the barriers, puts the barrier in place, and the building is fully protected. Once the storm has passed, you take them down and restore them. »
But disaster preparedness extends beyond infrastructure and environmental risks.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) used the conference to highlight the need to protect vulnerable populations during emergencies.
Titian-Rose Whittle said the agency has developed practical guidelines to help shelters and disaster response teams better address the needs of at-risk groups.
« If we turn to this page, we see that this page is focused on disaster preparedness and response and key recommendations. It is very critical that we focus on the persons furthest left behind. What do we mean by that, persons who are disabled, persons with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, the LGBT population, pregnant and lactating women, refugees and migrants, those persons who are often on the margin. »
TTDRM 2026, through the three-day conference, emphasises that building resilience requires more than responding to disasters – it demands planning, preparation, investment and inclusion before disasters hit.
