LoGB visits the NEOC

Published 8th June, 1:45pm

The Leader of Government Business (LOGB) the Hon. McKeeva Bush, His Excellency Stuart Jack, Governor of the Cayman Islands, Mr. Cline Glidden, MLA and Permanent Secretary, Carson Ebanks toured the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) on the morning of June 3rd. The visit comes just days after the beginning of the 2009 hurricane season and less than two weeks after Mr. Bush became the Leader of Government.

Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) is responsible for the operation of the NEOC which is located at the Fire Station in George Town. The NEOC is activated to coordinate and direct the response to national threats.

Mr. Jack said "it was clear during the approach and passage of Hurricane Paloma that there had been great improvements to the planning and response phases for hurricanes since the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004."

HMCI Director Designate, McCleary Frederick provided an overview of the some of the preparedness activities for the upcoming hurricane season. "Every year the National Hurricane Plan is reviewed. This year some minor changes were incorporated. Generator capacity has been significantly upgraded for all but five of the official hurricane shelters and there have been improvements to water supply system for the shelters." A new generator has also been installed at the NEOC. McCleary Frederick also explained that the Cayman Islands Government now requires all government agencies to have in place disaster response and continuity of operations plans and many government agencies already have these plans in place. "Continuity plans are important, because they are designed to ensure that government agencies continue to provide essential functions during and after an emergency. These plans also help to protect staff, equipment, records and other vital assets."

Mr. Bush said he was pleased to see that an "all hazards approach had been adopted for the Cayman Islands." He said he remained well informed of developments relating to hurricanes and other National threats during his time as Leader of the Opposition, but there were issues that still needed to be addressed. "We need to look at a more comprehensive national warning system, and the issue of hurricane shutters for the elderly and vulnerable needs to be revisited."

Plans have already been drawn up for a new National Emergency Operations Centre that will house Hazard Management Cayman Islands, 911, the National Weather Service and the Office of Telecommunications and Mr. Bush said he would like to proceed with construction of the facility, but he acknowledged that the new Administration was facing significant budgetary constraints. "We are still weighing up all the priorities and a technical team will look over the plans (for the new NEOC). We will see what can be accomplished."

For further information contact: Susan Watler