By CELESTE NIXON
Tribune Staff Reporter
cnixon@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas has entered into discussions with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to draft an evacuation policy in the event of a catastrophic disaster.
During a press conference at NEMA headquarters yesterday, director Captain Stephen Russell said the Bahamas is currently holding discussions with representatives of CDEMA to develop a draft policy and plan for the evacuation of the Bahamas.
While there are procedures in place, Capt Russell said, following these discussions the Bahamas will be more prepared for any event that may require evacuation – whether on a small or larger scale.
He said: “Once the policy is in place we have something hard and fast to follow and we will definitely be much more prepared once this exercise is completed.”
Capt Russell said the evacuation plan with not just apply to natural disasters such as cyclones or tsunamis, but also events such as chemical spills, community fires or violence.
Dawn French, director of CDEMA in St Lucia, said it is important to get evacuation protocols “down on paper” so policies are standard.
Ms French said they hope to have the draft evacuation proposal completed by the end of 2012, so that each of the 18 member states of CDEMA can begin to adopt and adapt the policies to the unique nature of each country at the beginning of the new year.
“The Bahamas is a collection of islands that stretch for miles and so there are unique challenges – there are a number things the Bahamas and other member states of CDEMA must take into consideration when you are planning an evacuation,” she said.
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