The Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation, in keeping with its school safety mandate and in its capacity as part of the NEMO Shelter Management Sub-Committee, will conduct a simulation exercise in one of the most hazard-proned areas on the Leeward side of the island.

The Buccament Bay area has been airmarked for the activity because of its proximity to the Buccament River, which makes the community vulnerable to flooding. This reality has resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods.

The disaster scenario will be that of a flash flood resulting in multiple casualties, including two primary school students being washed away by the river. The simulation is designed to test the hurricane readiness of stakeholders in the Buccament Bay area and to equip them with the necessary courses of action should a similar occurrence be realized.

The simulation exercise will take place on Friday, 17th June, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the vicinity of the Leeward District Seventh Day Adventist School.

The SVG Coastguard, the Leeward District Seventh Day Adventist Primary School,  Buccament Bay Community Disaster Response Team and the Buccament Bay Polyclinic will participate actively in the exercise. Evaluation will be done by a joint team of individuals among whom will be community members, police officers, representatives of the Red Cross, the Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation, and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment.

The Shelter Management Sub-Committee recognizes the importance of this simulation exercise for the testing of emergency plans in keeping with the objectives set out in the National Emergency Plan.