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| CURRENT NEWS |
| NOAA PREDICTS VERY ACTIVE 2006 NORTH ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON
Residents in Hurricane Prone Areas Urged to Make Preparations !! EXTRACTS FROM NOAA PREDICTION - For Full Text See link above. May 22, 2006 � NOAA today announced to America and its neighbors throughout the north Atlantic region that a very active hurricane season is looming, and encouraged individuals to make preparations to better protect their lives and livelihoods. "For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher". On average, the north Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. In 2005, the Atlantic hurricane season contained a record 28 storms, including 15 hurricanes. Seven of these hurricanes were considered "major," of which a record four hit the United States. "Whether we face an active hurricane season, like this year, or a below-normal season, the crucial message for every person is the same: prepare, prepare, prepare," said Max Mayfield, director of the NOAA National Hurricane Center. "One hurricane hitting where you live is enough to make it a bad season." The north Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. NOAA will issue a mid-season update in early August just prior to the normal August through October peak in activity. |
| 25th May - Disaster Simulation Exercise� Seminar/Workshop The Nevis Disaster Management Office, in the Premier�s Ministry, is hosting a �Disaster Simulation Exercise Design� Seminar/Workshop on Thursday 25th & Friday 26th May 2006, at the Red Cross building, Chapel Street. Sessions commence at 9:00 a.m. each day. The main purpose of the workshop is to enable Agencies to plan, design and execute simulation exercises. This is critical in light of the Vance W. Amory International Aircraft Full Scale Simulation exercise planned for 5th July 2006. This exercise is a mandatory requirement for the Nevis Air & Seaport Authority (NASPA) and the Nevis Island Administration. Facilitator for the workshop will be Mr. Ray John of St. Kitts, an experienced Disaster Management specialist. Performance objectives for the workshop include: � Appreciation of Agency�s capacity and capabilities � Types of Testing Mechanisms � Determine the appropriateness of the different applications � Design basic exercises & simulations including routine exercises and drills, table top and full scale exercises The importance of this workshop cannot be over emphasized, given the vulnerability of our area to Natural Hazards, in addition to man-made Hazards. Each Agency will be expected to be able to update and test their Disaster Management Plan in general, and specifically as it applies to the Airport Disaster Plan. Some agencies not involved in the Airport Exercise have been invited for their knowledge and benefit. Each agency was asked to send a number of senior representatives to the workshop, with preference given to persons who attended the recent PAHO courses in Mass Casualty, Incident Command and Emergency Care & treatment, and who may be responsible for planning & implementation of Agency Disaster Plans. WORKSHOP SCHEDULE 1. Why Exercise? 2. Types of exercises, which should you use and when? 3. Some Common Exercise Mistakes 4. Developing the Exercise Process 5. Conducting a Table Top Exercise 6. Conducting a Full Scale Exercise 7. Evaluating the Exercise 8. Making Recommendations Happen 9. Preview to designing our own Exercise 10. Designing a Full Scale Exercise The opening ceremony was chaired by the Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Office, with remarks given by: Mr. Oral Brandy, General Manager, Nevis Air & Seaport Authority Mr. Ray John - Workshop facilitator Ms. Venetta Hobson-Moving - Permanent Secretary, Premier's Ministry NOTE: All "Agency Disaster Plans� should be submitted by 1st June 2006. |
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25/26th May - NIA serious about Disaster Management Disaster Simulation Exercise Design Workshop A two day workshop to enhance disaster plans on Nevis, concluded Friday at the Red Cross Building and according to a top official in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), the workshop demonstrated the seriousness which the Administration has placed on disaster management. �The Nevis Island Administration through the NDMO has demonstrated the seriousness of disaster management and the necessity for all to have a plan at individual households, within the workplace or elsewhere,� Ms Venetta Hobson- Moving, Permanent Secretary in the Premiers Ministry said. She was at the time delivering remarks at the workshop�s opening ceremony on Thursday May 25, 2006. She noted that a post mortem on past workshops which included desktop and simulation exercises, had given a clear indication of what left to be done. �So this two day exercise is taking us a step further into preparing ourselves mentally.� The workshop which is hosted by the NIA through the Nevis Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is facilitated by Mr Ray John of St Kitts and targets a number of persons in the civil service, private and public sectors and service organisations who are involved in the disaster management programme. According to Mr Lester Blackett, Director of the NDMO the workshop would take the form of a number of discussions and include table top exercises, a full scale disaster simulation and an evaluation. He said one of the outputs of the exercise would provide important information for the airport disaster simulation exercise which is slated for July. Meantime, Mr Oral Brandy Manager of the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority who deputised for the Authority�s Board Chairman Mr Collin Dore regarded the workshop as being a timely and significant addition which emphasised the need for the preparation of disasters. He said one could not over be prepared to face the challenges which accompanied any disaster, natural or manmade. �It is because of these challenges that coordinated response efforts have become more important in this modern age of disasters, natural or man made. I would like to say that workshops such as this one, would not only be a time for increasing one�s knowledge and skill but it would be a time when you would learn to appreciate the importance of collaboration and teamwork. It is through teamwork that we would be able to mitigate crisis situations and maintain order where there is potential chaos. �The Vance W Amory International Airport has an emergency plan and I believe that the other agencies have one in place as well. However, as we think especially of the crash simulation exercise to be held later this year, our plans and procedures must be tested and rehearsed as well as evaluated,� he said. Mr Brandy commended the NDMO and the Nevis Island Administration for their efforts in sensitising and preparing the relevant agencies in the event of any disaster that may occur in Nevis. Mr Ray John in brief remarks told participants that the workshop was the �fun part� of disaster management but it was also a critical component of the disaster programme. |
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| 25th August 2006 New Nevis Disaster Management Office in the Making
THE NEVIS DISASTER MANAGEMENT OFFICE (NDMO) will soon have new and expanded office to deliver maximum service to the people of Nevis in the event of disaster. Manager of the NDMO Mr. Lester Blackett recently told the Government Information service that the two-acre site at Long Point had been cleared and constructed work is scheduled to commence in September 2006, since the contact bids are expected to be tendered by the end of August. Mr. Blackett outlined the scope of the combined Emergency Operation Center (EOC), which will be funded by the United States Military Southern Command. The site has been provided by the Nevis Island Administration through the Land Development Corporation. �The purpose of the building would be to provide a warehouse for the storage of items in the event of a disaster or a major emergency. It would also house an Emergency Operating Centre / General Office which is convertible to the EOC in the event of a situation. It also has in offices, a conference room, a training room and also an agency room which is a combined room in the event of a disaster; a library, a radio and communication room in addition to other ancillary: a kitchenette for example and bathrooms.� �We are hoping that this project would give a lot of flexibility to the Disaster Management Office. It is expected that we would be getting some additional staff soon so that by the time the office is constructed in early January or February (2007), we would be able to even ramp up further the information that we provide to the general public�, he said. The building would be a 44 feet x 100 feet steel frame building; the steel frame for which is expected to arrive on Nevis on September 2. Mr. Blackett noted other things that would be on the site include a parking lot, a container area, a communications tower and a generator room. The project is expected to provide employment for one of three local contractors and a number of sub-contractors. Mr. Blackett also said that a two man team from the US Military Southern Command had visited Nevis on Tuesday, August 15, 2006. Mr. Stephen Roper and Mr. Eric Newman, who is the contractor contracted to construct the building. They were here onsite discussing and having various analyses of the designs and drawing and fielding questions from the three likely contractors who will be bidding for the job. The two gentlemen also made a courtesy call on the Honourable Premier, Mr. Joseph Parry, where he was briefed on the project. He asked a number of relevant questions with respect to completion and cost and was able to get satisfactory answers. He was quite satisfied with the progress of the project� he said. Meanwhile, Br. Blackett said that an additional building is expected to be constructed on the site in 2008 and provisions had already been made there to accommodate construction. |
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| Architectural Drawing of NDMO building with Offices/EOC/Warehouse |
| NDMC holds its first meeting for 2006 25th August 2006 Nevis Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) last Friday held its first committee meeting for 2006 when Premier and Chairman the Hon Mr. Joseph Parry addressed the Executive Body at the Red Cross Building in Charlestown. Premier Parry expressed his gratitude to bring brief remarks at his first meeting and observed that although he was chairman of the committee, he would not be in a position to attend all the meetings. He gave the assurance that the Director of the Management Office, Mr. Lester Blackett was capable of being in charge in his absence. �I do hope that the people of Nevis would not think that because this first meeting as recorded is the first meeting for the year, it is an indication of lack of preparedness,� said Mr. Parry who quickly noted, �The hurricane season started since June and this is August � but let me assure you that I am satisfied that Mr. Blackett was ready before this meeting and ready for the hurricane season.� �We all are aware that the greatest threat of disaster comes during the hurricane season and is the threat from hurricanes and the effects of hurricanes � when you leave and you continue to work, you�ll be even more ready so that in case we have any occurrence of a hurricane or anything similar to that we will be very well prepared,� said Mr. Parry. He noted that his presence at the meeting was a demonstration of his interest in disaster preparedness and that he was as interested in everything else that goes on in Nevis. He thanked the committee members for their presence and for their patience and called upon them to have a good and positive meeting. The meeting was called to update the various stakeholders on the status of readiness for the eventuality of any disaster, especially a hurricane. The Nevis Disaster Management Office is currently undertaking a number of activities to ensure that the island of Nevis and the relevant persons are prepared and ready to respond to any disaster or accident. Mr. Blackett gave an update on one of the apparatus used to prepare relevant information. The apparatus, the Website (www.geocities.com/odpnevis) provides a vast collection of information such as the entire Nevis Disaster Plan which can be downloaded in sections, activities, bulletins, news items, weather forecasts, storm advisories, hazards and hazard tips/advisories, photo albums, databases, workshops/conferences, agencies, budget etc. The various government agencies who participated in the meeting included Public Works Department, Health, Agriculture Department, Police, Fire and Rescue and Utility Companies such as NEVLEC and Cable and Wireless. |
| FORUM: Using Information and Communication Technology for effective Disaster Management On Tuesday 25th September two members of the Nevis Disaster Management Committee began a 3 day Forum in Jamaica. Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Office (NDMO), Lester Blackett and N.I.A. Director of Information & Public Information Officer with the Nevis Disaster Management Committee, Huey Sargeant are attending the Forum entitled �Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for effective Disaster Management�. This forum is sponsored by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation and the International Telecommunication Union and coordinated by the Office of Utilities Regulation in Jamaica. The forum focuses on the various communication technologies such as telecommunications, broadcasting (radio and television), and information technology such as the internet in managing the information associated with Disaster Management. It has been acknowledged that information surrounding disasters is available however there is great difficulty when information has the reach the persons in a timely manner for it to be effective. Disaster Management recognizes that many disasters cannot be prevented however it strives to minimize human suffering and all of the speakers at the end of the first day said that getting information to the relevant persons and agencies was critical in achieving this goal. On the first day director of the NDMO Lester Blackett co-chaired a panel discussion which addressed information and communication technology deployment for disaster mitigation, ICT Legislation and the regulators responsibility in disaster management. The Nevis Disaster committee sees the participation in this forum as critical in helping the people of Nevis be more aware of the risks related to disasters and to be in a position to respond and recover in fastest possible time with minimal human suffering and impacts to infrastructure. By Huey Sargeant DGPPRD |
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| Huey Sargeant & Lester Blackett at Forum in Jamaica |
| CTO Forum participants & presenters |