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Last Updated: Mar 24th, 2006 - 10:16:20 |
The Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Office Mr Lester Blackett has called on partners in and out of the Nevis Island Administration to work diligently with his office to ensure the success of disaster mitigation on Nevis
Mr Blackett was at the time addressing a number of persons from government departments, the public service and the private sector on Thursday January 12, 2006, during an opening ceremony at the Red Cross conference room in Charlestown during the first planning meeting for a simulation exercise carded for July at the Vance W. Amory International Airport.
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| (Left to Right sitting) Mrs Venetta Hobson Moving Permanent Secretary in the Premiers Ministry Mr Collin Dore Chairman of the Nevis Air and Sea Port Authority and (standing) Mr Lester Blackett Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Office |
The full scale exercise will be held in collaboration with the Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA) and will test the state of readiness of the disaster plan of every agency involved in the exercise. Mr Blackett outlined the objectives of the simulation.
“The purpose of this is to provide competence in all emergency functions. There are a number of reasons to perform exercises: To test and evaluate plans, policies and procedures; reveal planning weaknesses; reveal gaps in resources; improve inter c-agency coordination and communications; clarify roles and responsibilities; train personnel in roles and responsibilities; improve individual performance; gain public recognition and support of officials and to satisfy government, international requirements particularly the International Civil Aviation Organisation which has a requirement for these exercises to be done,” he said.
The Director explained that the various stakeholders would be expected to conduct individual disaster exercises to identify any flaws including alert notification; health and medical; communications; public safety; coordination and control; Public Works; Public Information; Emergency and Public Information; Individual/Family assistance; Warning; Government Survival; Resource Management and Damage Assessment prior to the July simulation exercise.
He also outlined the requirement for the full scale exercise citing that although some people believed that a full scale exercise is capable of running on its own steam once it has started is false. “A full scale exercise represents a substantial commitment in time, money, personnel and expertise. It should not be taken without the necessary preparation," he said.
Meantime Chairman of the NASPA Board of Directors while delivering brief remarks said it was important for all the agencies involved to test their state of readiness to ensure rapid response and their ability to respond quickly to any challenges that they may face during a disaster.
“Disasters could come in many forms it could be something minor it could be something major but the bottom line in all of this is we must be able to respond quickly. We must be able to limit damage to persons and property in the event of a disaster and as such, these are the main grounds for which we need to be ready, if we are going to be effective in reducing the extent of loss in the event of any disaster.
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| A section of the participants at the planning meeting. |
“Such an exercise is a normal requirement based on international standards and since we at the Vance W. Amory International Airport service international passengers, it is important for us to keep on par with what is happening in the international world with regard to our state of readiness and preparedness in the event of a disaster,” he said.
Mr Dore told the participants that in the event of any disaster, it was important to function as a team a “well oiled machine” since it would make the difference between major recovery and major losses. “It is important therefore that we all work collectively as a unit,” he said.
Ms Venetta Hobson Moving Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry commended the exercise and pledged the support of the Ministry.
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