Speeches & Op-Eds
Donation of the Emergency Manager Weather Information Network Station to The Bahamas
Gold Circle Building, Nassau, Bahamas
August 3, 2007
Minister McCartney, Mr.Nairn, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Smith,other distinguished guests, thank you for inviting me here today. The provision of this equipment is part of the United States' Third Border Initiative (TBI). As the 2004 Joint U.S.-CARICOM statement on the Third Border Initiative states:
“We recognize that the Caribbean region is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural and man made disasters and are committed to strengthening national and regional institutional capacity to plan for and respond to disasters through support for disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts in the region.”
To follow through on this commitment, the United States is pleased to be able to provide new equipment and technology to NEMA and the Department of Meteorology to strengthen The Bahamas' disaster preparedness capabilities. Specifically, we are providing two Emergency Manager Weather Information Network Stations to The Bahamas. Each of these systems consists of a satellite dish, receiver, and computer system. These are being set up both at the Department of Meteorology station at the Lynden Pindling International Airport and at NEMA headquarters. With this equipment, both the meteorologists and the emergency managers will receive the very latest weather information from the NOAA satellites on weather patterns forming in the region and beyond. These upgrades are quite timely as we move into the heart of hurricane season.
Of course, having better information is important, but, as we know, analysis of that information is also critical. This new system will allow Department of Meteorology experts to send analysis of weather patterns to NEMA, so that NEMA can determine what measures need to be undertaken to protect the public.
We are also committed to providing training to NEMA to enhance its ability to respond effectively in the event of an emergency. During the first week of July, under the auspices of the Rhode Island National Guard State Partnership Program, a team from Rhode Island visited Nassau to conduct a disaster management conference, which included segments on public affairs, response and recovery operations, shelter management, logistics, as well as a live disaster management software demonstration conducted remotely from Rhode Island. The director of NEMA is scheduled to confer with his counterparts in Rhode Island next week.
The equipment provided and the ongoing cooperation with NEMA and the Department of Meteorology demonstrate the strong commitment of the United States to work with and assist The Bahamas to anticipate and manage natural disasters. The Bahamas can always count on us to be there in a crisis, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Minister McCartney, Mr. Smith, and all the staff of NEMA and the Meteorology Department.
Thank you.