Large doors installed at the SEEP Emergency Operations Centre in Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera offers protection and allow the building to serve as a community centre and hurricane shelter. (photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera -- South Eleuthera Emergency Partners, better known as SEEP recently added six large custom-made roll up doors to its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) thanks to a generous grant from the Lyford Cay Foundation.  The doors, approximately 11 feet high and 12 feet wide opened up new opportunities for the non-profit organization that operates the volunteer fire department and ambulance services for Southern Eleuthera.

The doors are of enormous importance because not only do they bring the Centre to an 80% completion, they also add a whole new dimension and meaning to the versatility of the EOC, opening new opportunities for the non-profit and the community at large.

Workers install one of the 11 foot x 12-foot doors at the EOC in Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera. The 4-week project helped employ 6 persons. (photo by Shaun Ingraham)

For the community, the installation of the doors created employment for 6 people in the depressed Eleuthera economy over a 4-week period and it also added profit to some of the local businesses. For SEEP, other exciting activities at the Centre are being realized, positively impacting the non-profit and the residents.

With a more secured building, the ambulance, fire truck, a recently donated jaws of life, an additional water pump and other fire fighting gear are now properly stored, ensuring a longer life span.   “The doors not only protect the vehicles and emergency equipment from the wear and tear caused by the sun and salt air,” said director Shaun Ingraham, “But they bring the building closer in line to an all purpose community centre and offers shelter during times of emergencies like a hurricane.”

Director Shaun Ingraham at left and Volunteer Ricardo Edwards review parts for the door (photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

Sourced and provided by a local hardware store, these industrial doors are made of aluminum and can withstand high winds and are built for low maintenance, safety and long lasting dependability and they also provide a weather-tight seal.

When a function is held at the Emergency Operations Center, there is the flexibility to have all 6 doors open or the choice of keeping some of the doors open and others closed.  The EOC has become a big hit with the locals with the most recent partnerships with the Island School /Cape Eleuthera Institute, local farmers and artisans who host a Farmer’s Market at the end of each month. “This has been a great success,” said Ingraham “as we are now able to set up the market the night before because the doors are added security and also the people and their products are protected from wind, sun and rain.”

The EOC facilitated the first Farmers’ Market in South Eleuthera in an open environment since doors were not installed at the time. (Photo by Shaun Ingraham)

Another new partnership involves a “12 Weeks to Wellness Program” headed by the Seventh Day Adventist Church.   Each evening during the week more than 50 people from Governor’s Harbour to Rock Sound (a forty mile range) travel to the EOC to exercise and learn how to live healthy lifestyles.

Shaun and his board of directors are grateful for the partnerships and support from key players like the Lyford Cay Foundation and for their volunteers who help in all areas of the operations. Ingraham pointed out that the emergency services volunteers put their lives on the line to passionately serve the various communities and have responded to vehicular accidents, illnesses, fire and flooding emergencies. 

The Emergency Operations Centre has come a long way since it started laying the foundation just over 2 years ago. In March 2009, SEEP proudly partnered with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Ministry of Health to broaden their work and garner more support when they dedicated their fire truck and ambulance. Officials at the ceremony included the Minister of Health, Hon. Hubert A. Minnis, MP, Minister of National Security, Hon. Orville (Tommy) Turnquest, MP, Hon. Oswald Ingraham, MP, South Eleuthera and Commissioner Greenslade.

The second Farmers’ Market was held at the end of January at the SEEP EOC. The newly installed doors are in the background and provide a backdrop at the “Lion Fish” demonstration table. (Photo by Shaun Ingraham)

To mark another milestone, SEEP will host an Open House and Dedication set for March 14^th, 2010 at 2 pm and the celebrations will include local residents and a group of 70 Island Journeys volunteers from Clemson University, North Carolina.

The EOC’s immediate goals include the completion of the offices, kitchen, storage facilities and a water cistern. South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP) is a non-profit organization that relies solely on donations from individuals, grants, corporations, fundraisers as well as from the local and winter residents.  SEEP welcomes your support. You may contact shaundonavon@yahoo.com for more information or visit www.southeleutheraep.org