Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

13.   Shelters, shelters managers and shelter officers

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    (1)   The Director shall subject to subsection (10), establish and maintain a list of premises available and suitable for use as shelters during a declaration of emergency or an alert or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or a disaster.

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    (2)   The Minister shall designate as shelter managers or shelter officers as many public officers as the Minister sees fit provided that where a school is listed as a shelter under this section, the principal or a teacher of the school shall, with the approval of the Minister responsible for Education, be designated as the shelter manager of the school.

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    (3)   Where a church is listed as a shelter under this section, the religious leader of the church, or his or her nominee shall be the shelter manager for the shelter.

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    (4)   The Director shall, subject to subsections (2), (3) and (5), assign to each shelter, a shelter manager charged with the responsibility of managing the shelter during any period when the building is being used for that purpose, and may assign shelter officers to assist any shelter manager.

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    (5)   Where listed premises are not in State occupation, the designation of shelter managers or shelter officers for those listed premises shall be subject to the agreement of the occupier of the listed premises which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld.

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    (6)   Regulations made under section 27(2)(d) shall apply during the period when the listed premises are in use as shelters.

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    (7)   Regulations under section 27(2)(d) may confer enforcement powers on shelter managers and shelter officers for the purpose of keeping order in shelters.

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    (8)   The owner or occupier of listed premises shall not be liable to any person taking shelter in the listed premises for any injury to such person or damage to or loss of any person's property, which injury, damage or loss arises from the condition of the listed premises.

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    (9)   Subsection (8) is without prejudice to any other right or remedy which the person suffering damage or loss may have —

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      (a)     other than a right or remedy against the owner or occupier of the listed premises; or

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      (b)     against the owner or occupier of the listed premises for damage or loss arising otherwise than from the condition of the listed premises.

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    (10)   A shelters list established under subsection (2) shall be published as a schedule to Regulations made under section 27(2)(d).

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    (11)   The Director shall approve in writing the maximum number of persons for which each shelter is suited.