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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, kicked off National Disaster Preparedness Week with a Service of Thanksgiving as it prepares the country for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The service was held Sunday, May 29, at Kemp Road Ministries. Pictured among the congregation are representatives of NEMA: Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA; Glenn Miller, COB; Trevor Basden, Department of Meteorology; and Bradley King, Ministry of Works and Urban Development. (BIS PHOTO/Patrick Hanna)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) kicked off National Disaster Preparedness Week with a Service of Thanksgiving as it prepares the country for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs June 1 to November 30.
The service was held Sunday, May 29, at Kemp Road Ministries, during which the Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Minister of the Environment and Housing, delivered remarks on behalf of the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, who has responsibility for disaster management.
The National Disaster Preparedness Committee is tasked with ensuring that Bahamians and all individuals within our archipelagic nation are made aware of preparedness measures in the event of a hurricane and other hazards, which may affect the lives or livelihood of those within our nation.
The Committee has embraced Comprehensive Disaster Management in seeking to strengthen institutional capacity while embracing the need to mitigate, manage and coordinate response to natural and technological hazards. The Committee is also seeking to inform the community of the scope of disaster management and mitigation, climate change and environmental sustainability, and other related areas.
The National Disaster Preparedness week is May 29 to June 4, 2016, under the theme: “A Comprehensive and Collaborative Approach to Disaster Management for a More Resilient Bahamas.”
Minister Dorsett said: “We also start this week remembering all too well the massive devastation caused by the Category 4 Hurricane Joaquin, which wreaked havoc on the Central and Southeast Bahamas Family Island communities of Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.
The Hon. Kenred Dorsett, Minister of Housing and the Environment, addressing The National Emergency Management Agency Service of Thanksgiving kicking off National Disaster Preparedness Week in preparation for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The service was held Sunday, May 29, at Kemp Road Ministries. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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“Some eight months later, here we are, recommitting ourselves to restoring to normalcy the lives of hundreds so horribly impacted by that devastating hurricane.”
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs June 1 to November 30. For the 2016 season, the Colorado State University (CSU) group, now headed by Dr. Phil Klotzbach, is predicting 13 named storms of which 6 are expected to develop into hurricanes of which 2 are expected to become major hurricanes.
The Weather Channel experts are predicting 14 named storms of which 8 will develop into hurricanes and 3 of these hurricanes expected to become major hurricanes.
All of these predictions include the out of season Hurricane Alex that formed in January 2016 and affected the Azores but posed no threat to The Bahamas.
The 2016 named storms are: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, and Walter.
Over the years, NEMA has been relentless in its efforts to ensuring that The Bahamas has the capability and capacity to adequately respond to disasters. Minister Dorsett reiterated, as announced in the 2016/17 National Budget Communication in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, May 25, delivered by the Prime Minister, the Government’s renewed commitment to make available, resources for the continued objective to building disaster resilient communities.
One of these measures outlined in the Budget is enhanced technology through an upgrading of the Trunking system, which allows for continued communication in catastrophic situations.
To date, the new technology includes a state-of-the-art, multi-agency Smart-Net Integrated Trunking Communication System, which is designed for Public Safety. The system is shared among 18 government agencies and also serves as an emergency communication system for the National Emergency Management Agency.
Captain Stephen Russell, Director, NEMA, addressing The National Emergency Management Agency Service of Thanksgiving kicking off National Disaster Preparedness Week, in preparation for the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The service was held Sunday, May 29, at Kemp Road Ministries. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
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Another measure is under the Sandy Bottom Project, an estimated $232 million earmarked to equip the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, with state-of-the art vessels to tackle one if its mandates -- disaster management and mitigation.
The HMBS Lignum Vitae and HMBS Lawrence Major have both intercepted and apprehended undocumented migrants and have provided vital assistance in bringing relief to persons affected by Hurricane Joaquin in the Family Islands.
“I wish to extend my profound thanks and gratitude to the Pastors, Deacons and members of the Kemp Road Ministries for affording us the opportunity to come together in this beautiful edifice to thank and glorify the Lord for all that He has done for this country and for all of us as a whole.
“I wish also to publicly thank and give recognition to Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell, his staff and members of the National Disaster Preparedness Consultative Committee for their stellar performances and commitment in assisting to keep The Bahamas safe,” Mr. Dorsett said.
He also thanked such organizations such as Head/Knowles, Arawak Port Development, the Red Cross, USAID/ODFA, PAHO and many others for rendering assistance to the hurricane victims.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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