Bahamas News
NEMA, USNORTHCOM Conduct Series of Wildland Firefighting Training
#Nassau, August 1, 2018 – Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and its partner the United States Northern 
Command are engaged in a series of Wildland Firefighting training exercises aimed at preparing the communities across The Bahamas for any such disaster.
NEMA and the USNORTHCOM completed training exercises on six islands. They are: New Providence (June 2017), Abaco (August 2017), Exuma (March 2018), Long Island (June 2018) Andros, (July 2018); and the latest held in Crooked Island from July 25 to 27, 2018.
Approximately 90 participants comprising individuals from the public and private sectors on each island underwent the training exercises, with a view to equipping them with the skills to tackle wildland fires should they occur. The participants were trained in life-saving techniques such as CPR, basic first aid, how to use the tools during wildland clearing, how to set up an Incident Command System (ICS), how to operate the fire pump, how to use the self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), among other techniques.
The participants also gained knowledge of how to safely fight a fire to possibly save lives and property. And at the end of the training, each participate received a certificate of completion.
The equipment used for the training included a Skid Unit (a 200 gallon fire pump with a high pressure hose attachment); SCBA – tanks and a compressor to fill them, Draft Suction Pump, Fire Line clearing tools, and fire suits. The estimated cost of each set of equipment is $38,000; which was left in the care of Local Government on each island to be used in the event of an emergency.
Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell underscored the importance of such training exercises and the long-standing relationship with the USNORTHCOM.
“NEMA is pleased with the continued partnership with the USNORTHCOM and the United States Public Health Service in our continued approach to comprehensive Disaster Management, and building capacity throughout the Islands of The Bahamas to respond to any disaster, natural or manmade,” Captain Russell said.
The facilitators and trainers were Captain George Alveres, US Fire Department, Kyle Fisher, Public Hospitals Authority, Leading Seaman Romeiko Burrows, Royal Bahamas Defence Force attached to NEMA; Leading Mechanic Ingraham, Royal Bahamas Defence Force attached to NEMA; Kirk Cunningham, Forestry division and other personnel from The Bahamas and the US.
The United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) is a Unified Combatant Command of the U.S. military tasked with providing military support for civil authorities in the U.S and protecting the territory and national interests of the United States within the contiguous United States, Alaska (not Hawaii), Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas, and the air, land and sea approaches to these areas.
Release: NEMA
Photo Captions:
Header: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and its partner the United States Northern Command held Wildland Firefighting t
raining exercises in Long Island in June 2018. Pictured are participants and facilitators with firefighting equipment for that particular island.
First insert: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and its partner the United States Northern Command held a series of Wildland Firefighting training exercises aimed at preparing the communities across The Bahamas for any such disaster. Pictured are participants in the Andros training exercise held July 2018. Also pictured are Captain Stephen Russell, director of NEMA and representatives from the USNORTHCOM.
Third insert: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and its partner the United States Northern Command held Wildland Firefighting training exercises in Crooked Island in July 2018. Pictured are participants learning how to use the equipment and other techniques.
(PHOTOS/NEMA)
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas#RoyalCaribbean, April 23, 2024- After being delayed following its announcement in 2020, Royal Caribbean’s new 17 acre Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, is now in the works and is scheduled to be ready for 2025, according to reports. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday April 22, signifying the start of construction in the next few months. This project is huge for The Bahamas as it’s a first of kind for the nation, with a unique public private partnership allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49 percent in equity.
Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country
recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.
The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.
Ms. Rickell Curry
“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”
Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.
“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.
Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.
Dr. Elizabeth Darville
“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”
Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.
“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.
Mr. Wellington Hepburn
“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”
With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.
“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.
Ms. Samantha Rolle
“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”
The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
- Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
- Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.
Office of University Relations
University of The Bahamas
2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex
Oakes Field Campus
P.O. Box N-4912
Nassau, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365
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