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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
NICHOLL’S TOWN, Andros, Bahamas - The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, conducted Phase II of its Water Rescue Training Exercise on the island, in collaboration with the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), held April 28 to May 1, 2014. Andros was the second island to receive the training, which took place in the settlement of Nicholl’s Town at the Nicholl’s Town Gospel Chapel Youth Hall. USNORTHCOM donated the necessary equipment to facilitate the training and additional equipment to assist rescue teams with responding to disasters near the coast or swamplands. The 19 participants who hailed from the community were taught how to: establish a Search and Rescue Programme, Common Skills (Rescue Organisation & Searches), handle ropes, hardware and knots, Low Angle Raising and Lowering, Simple Mechanical Advantage, Surface Water Rescue (Shore based rescue assessments, organisation and searches).
Participants included: Charlene Whyms, Carson Lundy, Kelson Colebrook, Kirkwood Dean, Tammy Farrington, Stephen Riley, Shane Miller, Owen Julius Hanna and Natalie Pratt, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Natheria D. Pratt and Clorice Taylor-Knowles, Civil Aviation Department, Colin Ingraham, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Omar Miller, Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development, Johnathan Fowler Sr., Nathaniel Pratt and Wendell Evans. Volunteers, Malissa Coakley and Andrea Smith Department of Public Service and Navardo J. Rolle, Western Air. Thirteen participants received level 2 certification and six received level 1. The purpose of the training and equipment programme was to equip and train a team of individuals on the island to be able to effectively respond to a disaster in nearby waters. However, NEMA’s main focus for this particular water rescue training was to ensure that individuals in the community are properly trained to respond if an aircraft or boating mishap happened in waters near the coast. The class instructions were conducted by four Certified Water and Rope Rescue Technicians from the United States Public Health Services sponsored by USNORTHCOM. Leading the team was Captain Joseph Hughart and assisting were Captain John Holland, Commander Douglas Ebert, and Lieutenant Commander Kiel Fisher. Senior Lieutenant Sonia Miller and Wendell Rigby from the National Emergency Management Agency helped with the facilitation of the training. Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA, Chief Councillor, Bob Mackay and Jeffrey Smith USNORTHCOM representative were all present to handout certificates to participants. Captain Russell explained to participants the importance of having such a team on the island of Andros. He also encouraged the new Rescue Team to continue to work together and practice what they were taught to further strengthen their ability to respond to a disaster. Participants were also thanked for having the courage to take part in the training and committing themselves to take on such a meaningful task. Overall, NEMA dubbed the Training and Equipment Programme held on the island a success. The participants were eager to learn and remained motivated during the training sessions. Over the past months Water Rescue Training exercises took place in New Bight, Cat Island and in Clarence Town, Long Island. The total value of equipment donated by USNORTHCOM for Phase II Water Rescue Training is $275,548.75. NEMA conducts water rescue training on Long Island NEMA Conducts water rescue training in Cat Island NEMA identifies sites for Water Rescue Training (Nassau) National Emergency Management Agency conducts water rescue training course (Freeport) NEMA Conducts Water Rescue Training Course -
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