NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, received in excess of $800,000 in floodwater rescue equipment to increase it preparedness capacity in the event the country is faced with a disaster.
The official handover was held Tuesday, July 3, 2012 in a ceremony at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour Base. Present were Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development Renward Wells, Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe, United States Charge’ d’ Affaires John Dinkelman, and Major General Mahon, of the US Northern Command.
It was the third and final phase of a United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)-funded training programme held on New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco, during which about 40 participants received extensive flood water/rope rescue training.
Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA, said that the agency and the country as a whole were pleased to be the recipient of the United States through its Humanitarian Assistance Programme.
“The tragic reminder of air mishaps, which have occurred over the years, have prompted the National Emergency Management Agency to seek ways in which we can better our response capabilities,” he said.
“A request for assistance in regards to responding to air mishaps or similar disasters in our lakes, swamps or seas was received with favourable response by the United States Northern Command and Public Health Services.”
Captain Russell said NEMA would continue to seek out innovative ways to ensure that The Bahamas remains in a position to be able to respond to disasters of any form.
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development Renward Wells said that the government was extremely pleased to accept the training and equipment donated by USNORTHCOM.
“The Bahamas’ National Emergency Management Agency has played and integral role in this programme. As they have seen it fit to identify three of our most trafficked airports, where the likelihood of an air mishap may occur, due to any unforeseen circumstances,” Mr. Wells said.
Over the years air mishaps occurring in New Providence happened in the area of Lake Killarney.
Mr. Wells noted that many of the airstrips in The Bahamas are either near a lake, the sea or swamp lands.
“While the responses from the various agencies have over the years been great, there are always lessons to be learnt and more effective and innovative ways to further enhance our emergency response capabilities. Additionally, this particular training also gives rescue teams the ability to assist with urban search and rescue, flooding or boating incidents near the coast,” Mr. Wells said.
The rescue teams received training in the following areas: site survey and risk analysis, self-rescue & personal safety skills, swim test, understanding flood hydrology, developing search parameters and procedures, conducting shore base rescue operations, boat-assisted and boat rescue operations, and other related skills.
The equipment consist of a 16ft Aluminum War Eagle boat with a trailer, a 20hp 4-stoke Honda engine, personal floatation devices, helmets, Carlson River boards, litters and rescue ropes are just a few of the equipment received. Additional equipment has also been donated and will soon be in the care of The Bahamas government.
The agencies that participated in this programme comprised of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Bahamas Air and Sea Rescue, Airport Authority Crash Fire Rescue, Grand Bahama Port Department, Emergency Medical Services, Department of Environmental Health, Bahamas Red Cross and Marsh Harbour Volunteer Fire Fighters.
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
BAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES
Caption:
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, received in excess of $800,000 in floodwater rescue equipment to increase it preparedness capacity in the event the country is faced with a disaster. A handover ceremony was held Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour Base. Pictured from left are United States Charge’ d’ Affaires John Dinkelman, Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development Renward Wells, Major General Mahon, US Northern Command, Stuart Symington, Foreign Policy Advisor, USNORTHCOM, and Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell. (BIS Photo/Kris Ingraham)
