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NEMA, USNORTHCOM Conduct Series of Wildland Firefighting Training

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#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 training 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)

 

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Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

 

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Bahamas News

C&W COMMUNICATIONS PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED AS ATHLETES “CHASE THE SUN”

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World Relays to be title sponsored by BTC, one of C&W’s local brands.

 

In just a few days, athletes from over fifty countries will converge in The Bahamas for the BTC World Athletic Relays Bahamas 24. C&W Communications, the parent company of BTC, is proud to be associated with this major event, which will see athletes from The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago competing for a place in the upcoming Olympic games in Paris.

Inge Smidts, CEO of C&W Communications, who also serves as Chair of the BTC Board of Directors will be in the stands to witness the highly anticipated relays. Smidts says, this was an event that she simply could not miss. “We are proud to support our Caribbean athletes, and we wish them well as they vie for a spot in the Olympic games.

The relays will be held one of in our markets, The Bahamas, and we are honoured to be the title sponsor of the event. The world relays represent the spirit of relentless courage and the willingness to succeed of the Caribbean people and of our business. Through partnerships like this we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to connect communities and change lives.”

In addition to its sponsorship of the event, Smidts says it was important that athletes, officials, and fans stayed connected during the games. “As a business we are focused on ensuring that our customers have access to faster, stronger, and more reliable connectivity, and we worked with our partners to make certain that athletes and guests remain connected.

We have offered e-sim cards, and we also worked with the major hotels to set up care centers to ensure that we address any connectivity concerns on the spot. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that BTC will provide free Wi-Fi at the stadium giving patrons and athletes the opportunity to share every riveting moment.”

BTC has hosted a special event just for the Caribbean athletes, at the newly renovated Queen’s Staircase in Nassau, a recently renovated historic landmark visited by thousands of tourists each day. This event gave athletes the opportunity to unwind, mingle, and to learn more about each other right before the competition.

This is the fourth time that BTC and its parent company C&W Communications have title sponsored the world relays. The BTC World Athletic Relays will be held at the Thomas A. Robinson Track & Field Stadium from May 4-5, under the theme, “Chase the Sun, from Paradise to Paris.”

 

 

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Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos 

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RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

 

 

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