The Tribune

THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) tested a new emergency warning system to better prepare and inform the public about an impending disaster for the first time as Tropical Storm Erika approached at the weekend.

NEMA follows Standard Operating Procedures, which provide instructions for activation and the operations of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), amongst other things.

Level I, signified by a green flag raised outside NEMA’s office, deals with monitoring the system and its projected path, which is 60 hours out. The Operations Officer will monitor the progress and keep the Director of NEMA informed.

Level II - or partial activation, which NEMA implemented on Thursday - means that the situation has escalated into a real threat to the islands or areas in the projected path 48 hours out, such as storm warning, flash flood warning, etc. A yellow flag is hoisted to indicate this. During this phase, a watch is issued and residents are advised to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their properties.

Level III will see an orange flag hoisted, which means emergency conditions exist - for example, flash flooding or tornadoes. Also, the NEOC will be activated and utilise the necessary personnel.

And at Level IV, a red flag would be hoisted, which means full activation. The Prime Minister will be advised to address the nation on the potential destruction the system would cause. By this time, residents should have already made all preparations for landfall, including securing personal documents and seeking designated approved shelters in the event of an evacuation order. This means the system is 36 hours out.

The Emergency Support Function groups are made up from essential services such as health, police force, defence force, water, electricity, communications, shelter management, and other related areas.

Chrystal Glinton, First Assistant Secretary at NEMA, said the flags would be prominently flown at various points around the country - Nassau Harbour, the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA), Family Islands Administrators’ offices on the islands, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Base at Coral Harbour and other strategic locations easily noticeable by the public.

Ms Glinton also explained that the flags and colours are in keeping with international standards of emergency procedures and protocols and that a blue flag, signifying a tsunami flag, would be introduced shortly.

“This is another way NEMA is improving its warning system,” she said. “The flag colours are easily identified and are used similarly in the medical field.” She urged residents to continue to exercise caution as the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is entering its peak.