BAHAMAS: Nema Begins Disaster Awareness Month in Church

#Nassau, June 5, 2018 – Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, kicked off a month of activities in order to remind the public of the need to be prepared for any disaster, natural or manmade.

On Sunday, June 3, 2018 the national church service was held at New Providence Community Church on Blake Road, where members of the national disaster consultative committee worshiped along with Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis and his wife Patricia, both members of that church.

Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis has declared the Month of June, “Disaster Preparedness Month,” as NEMA is strongly urging the public to do their part as reflected in its theme: “Be Disaster Resilient.  Be Prepared.”

Captain Stephen Russell noted that NEMA has moved to focus on comprehensive disaster management, in keeping with regional and international protocols and best practices.  However, the public is being reminded that the Hurricane Season is June 1 to November 30.

A number of public relations activities are being planned to bring about a new sense of awareness. They are:

* Sunday, June 3

National Church Service 11am

New Providence Community Church, Blake Road;

* Friday, June 8

9am – 4pm

National Hurricane Readiness Table Top Exercise;

* Thursday, June 14

Community Walk-about in areas impacted by Hurricane Matthew 2016

5pm-7pm;

* June 11 – 21

Community Presentations on Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness;

* Saturday, June 23

Exhibition at NEMA, Gladstone Road

10am – 7pm;

* Saturday, June 30

Community Fun, Run, Walk

6:30am; and,

* June 4-29

Media Blitz: Radio, TV, And Social Media.

The Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project Outlook has predicted that this year, the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season calls for 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 at category 3 or higher.

The 2018 storm names: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie and William

Release: NEMA

Photo Captions:

Header: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, kicked off a month of activities in order to remind the public of the need to be prepared for any disaster, natural or manmade. On Sunday, June 3, 2018 the national church service was held at the New Providence Community Church on Blake Road. Prime Minister Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis and his wife Patricia, were also in attendance. Pictured from left are: Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA; Prime Minister Minnis; Mrs. Patricia Minnis; Caroline Turnquest, Bahamas Red Cross and Trevor Basden, Director, the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

Insert: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, kicked off a month of activities in order to remind the public of the need to be prepared for any disaster, natural or manmade. On Sunday, June 3, 2018 the national church service was held at the New Providence Community Church on Blake Road. Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis and his wife, Patricia, were also in attendance. Pictured is Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA greeting the Prime Minister and his wife as they arrive for the service.

(BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel Sr.)