JAMAICANS are being urged to strive for independence from State relief as much as possible during this hurricane season, and among other things, receive the necessary training to adequately manage the effects of hurricanes.

Director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson, in opening an ODPEM seminar on disaster preparedness last week, said that every Jamaican should to work together and not wait or fully depend on ODPEM or any other relief agencies in times of disaster.

He made reference to the Jamaica Red Cross' training of some residents in Cedar Valley, St Thomas - people who have been able to work on their own throughout hurricanes.

Minister of Local Government and Reform Robert Montague reiterated the point, and asked others to be shelter managers by hosting the needy in their homes.

"The best shelter is [hosted] in someone else's home," Montague said.

He also made mention of dishonesty with regards to people writing claims for things that they do not lose in hurricanes. He said this would no longer be tolerated.

Several hurricanes are expected to pass through the region this year rricane season in history.