NEMA District Volunteers and Shelter Managers met at NEMA HQ today, Monday 4th September, 2017, to report on their capacity to respond within the communities they serve, should Hurricane Irma directly impact the Federation. The meeting was organised by NEMA in collaboration with the Andrew Skerritt, who is the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.
All 8 Districts were represented by at least one member of the Volunteer Teams, and reported that their members were positioned to activate their response plans, if and when necessary. On the agenda for discussion were the Shelters list and plans to protect residents with particular focus on the disabled and elderly communities.
The urgent meeting was convened as the Nation prepares for a potential impact by Hurricane Irma. The latest system Atlantic targeting the Caribbean island chain is currently hurtling along a path that could come close to the Federation over the next few days. A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Leeward Islands to include Barbuda and Antigua, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. It means that Hurricane conditions are possible within this area within 24-36 hours. At 11am the centre of Hurricane Irma was located near Latitude 16.8 North, Longitude 53.3 West or about 560 miles East of the Leeward Islands and 610 miles away from St. Kitts and Nevis.
At the end of the gathering, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Shawn Richards thanked the Volunteers for coming forward to serve.
“I take the opportunity to say a very special thank you on behalf of the Government and People of St. Kitts-Nevis for your voluntary service to the Federation”, he said.
Vesta I. Southwell
Public Relations Officer
