FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 22, 2013 BY: THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY NEMA Suffers Fire Damage to its New Headquarters NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, suffered extensive damage to its newly constructed modern facility during a fire, which struck shortly after midnight Friday, November 22, 2013. Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell reported that at about 12:30, he received a call from the Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Services that staff workstations in the centre of the building were engulfed in flames. He also noted however, that the blaze was contained to that portion of the building and shortly after 1am the fire had been extinguished. NEMA moved into its building three months ago on August 23, just around the anniversary of the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew, which struck The Bahamas and caused millions in damage and four related deaths in 1992. The building, constructed at an estimated $1.7 million dollars is located on Gladstone Road. It is fully equipped to accommodate the National Disaster Committee members in the National Emergency Operations Centre, during any disaster that might occur. A team comprising the Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Services and Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development carried out a rapid assessment inspection of the damage. This team, along with other relevant personnel, will conduct a more thorough inspection to determine the scope of works for repairs and when the building would fit to resume occupancy for the 17 staff members. Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and supervised inmates of Her Majesty’s Prison cleared out debris and removed the salvageable equipment from the building. Also destroyed in the workstation areas were cubicles, computers, pipes, copy/fax machine, other fixtures and appliances. Captain Russell said although it was “depressing and disappointing” that NEMA suffered damage to its building, the machinery of the Government would kick for the continued flow of operations for the agency. He added that the “command centre” would remain operational in the event of an emergency, and that suitable accommodations would be provided for the agency to carry out its clerical operations. The fire struck just eight days before the end of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs June 1 to November 30. The National Emergency Management Agency is the agency charged with responsibility for disaster relief management. -30- (BIS Photo/Raymond Bethel)
Posted on: Sat, 23 Nov 2013 00:28:55 +0000
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