BAHAMAS: NEMA Shelter Managers Training

#Bahamas, March 6, 2018 – Nassau – The National Emergency Management Agency hosted Shelter Management training based on the guidelines of the United States Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), February 26-28, 2018 at NEMA.

The training provided those with responsibility for the operational management of emergency shelters the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the required duties.  NEMA offers the training three times a year.

Coordinated by First Assistant Secretary and Operations Manager of NEMA, Mrs. Gayle Outten-Moncur, this particular training was attended by persons from Social Services, Cabinet Office, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Health Community Nurses from the Family Islands, and personnel from The Royal Bahamas Defence Force who are assigned to NEMA.  Instructors for this training were Inspector Kendrick Brown and Nursing Officer Judith Scavella.

The training included simulation exercises with the following objectives:

• Determine resource needs, mobilize and secure them.
• Maintain shelter structure and equipment.
• Select appropriate structure for an alternative shelter.
• Prepare the shelter for use.
• Operate the shelter with available resources.
• Establish and maintain effective channels of communication with relevant agencies and support groups.
• Complete all tasks at closure.

By: Sydnei L. Isaacs (BIS)