The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in collaboration with the District Emergency Organisations (DEO) will be hosting a natural disaster response simulation exercise, “Eagle Eye”, on Wednesday, August 17, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Department of Emergency Management, Consultant, Selwyn Brooks, explaining the rationale behind the upcoming event, stated: “Over the past two years, the DEM has sought to enhance the capacity of the 30 DEO units across the country by sustaining a level of training, resulting in increased training and membership.
“Exercise “Eagle Eye” is aimed at allowing available members to test their capacity, on Tuesday, August 16, and Wednesday, August 17, by responding to a number of simulation exercises across the country.”
As part of the exercise, a chain saw simulation will take place. To facilitate this simulation, Highland Road, St. Thomas, will be closed to the public between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
The Barbados Police Service will be on hand to facilitate traffic management.
The public is asked not to be alarmed when they see members of the DEOs traversing and engaging communities, as it will be part of the training exercise.
DEO members participating in the exercise will be outfitted in their respective DEO shirts.
Mr. Brooks noted that the public will benefit from the “capacity and service” of the exercise as it seeks to enhance the competencies of DEO members.
The District Emergency Organisations consist of civic-minded individuals from communities across the country, who volunteer their time and efforts, by serving and helping the Department of Emergency Management to build higher levels of community resilience to the many hazards or impacts the country may face from time to time.