Embassy Events

U.S. Embassy donates Emergency Manager Weather Information Network Stations to NEMA

August 9, 2007

On Friday, August 3, U.S. Chargè d’Affaires Brent Hardt presented The Bahamas government with two new Emergency Manager Weather Information Network Stations that will enhance the capabilities of NEMA and the Department of Meteorology.  Minister of State Branville McCartney, Permanent Secretary Archie Nairn, the Director of the Department of Meteorology Arthur Rolle, and NEMA Director Carl Smith were on hand for the presentation.  The provision of this equipment is part of the United States' Third Border Initiative (TBI).  The 2004 Joint U.S.-CARICOM statement on the Third Border Initiative recognized the Caribbean region's vulnerability to hurricanes and other natural and man made disasters and 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." 

The U.S. government provided this equipment to assist The Bahamas with disaster preparedness.  Each system consists of a satellite dish, receiver, and computer system that will be 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.

In his remarks, the Chargé d'Affaires Dr. Brent Hardt noted that the upgrades are timely as we move into the heart of hurricane season.  He noted that “having better information is important, but analysis of that information is also critical."  He pointed out that 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.” 

The Chargé also noted that the U.S. Embassy is 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.