Exercise Caribewave 2023 created a buzz across Barbados today, as residents, visitors and students took part in several activities executed as part of the annual event.
The exercise is designed to enable the National Emergency Management System and its stakeholders the opportunity to practise and evaluate elements of the national response mechanism in response to the tsunami hazard.
Just after 10:00 a.m., staff and visitors at the Courtyard by the Marriott Hotel evacuated the hotel and headed for the “safe zone” at the Garrison Savannah.
Meanwhile, members of the disabled community were evacuated from 4th Avenue Harts Gap, St. Michael, and St. Matthias, Christ Church, and taken to “safety” at Wanderers Cricket Grounds in Dayrell’s Road, Christ Church.
These evacuation exercises were supported by the Christ Church West District Emergency Organisation, which stood up its Satellite Emergency Operation Centres (SEOCs).
At the Department of Emergency Management’s (DEM) headquarters in Warrens, St. Michael, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) was activated to test their training in a tabletop exercise.
Members of the NEOC “responded” to alert messages disseminated by the Barbados Meteorological Services ( MET Office), emergency situations that arose, and offered possible solutions during the tabletop exercise.
The communications systems were also tested through alert messages sent from the MET Office across the CAP App, email alerts, and radio station interrupts.
DEM staff also conducted presentations at four schools to sensitise students about the tsunami and earthquake hazards. Members of the Barbados Fire Service also used the opportunity to speak to students about the fire hazard.
This year’s tabletop activity was based off the scenario chosen by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, where the Mount Pelée volcano erupted, resulting in a tsunami warning being issued for Barbados.
Barbados was one of 10 countries under the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to participate in the exercise.
This year’s Caribewave Exercise 2023 formed part of the activities to mark Coastal Hazards and Earthquake Smart Month celebrated under the theme All Aboard for Coastal Resilience.