Representatives of the NEMA Tobago Disaster Management Committee assembled at the Mt. Irvine Bay Hotel on January 16th 2008 for the 1st meeting of the year 2008. High on the agenda was Plans for the Joint Command Operations for Carnival 2008 at First Citizen's Car Park, Scarborough, Tobago.

Some of the decisions taken were:

• Training of all CERT Technicians, NEMA Tobago Staff and all First Response Agencies in Basic Cardiac Life Support.
  • Commencing on January 29th to February 1st 2008
    • Deadline for registration is Monday January 21st
    • Maximum target of 220 persons
• Plans for WEB EOC Software training for CERT Technicians, NEMA Tobago Staff and all First Response Agencies at a date to be confirmed.
• The Installation of two (2) Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWN) at NEMA EOC and METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE at Crown Point Tobago.
• Mr. John Boze (Telecommunication Supplier) of CARIBEL, made a presentation detailing the use and advantages of the new VHF Communications Trunking System intended to give NEMA Tobago (EOC) the ability to have overall Command, Control and Coordination of all Operational Resources.
• The 2008 Carnival event is mainly carded for Scarborough with J'overt also planned for the Crown Point area.   A Joint Command Operation would be established at the First Citizen Car Park, Scarborough.  This area would be blocked off by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service during the period 2nd Saturday to 5th Tuesday, February 2008.
  • NEMA Tobago would provided the following:
    • Two (2) Trailers - 1 Mobile Command Unit
    • 1 Communications Trunking System
    • Deployment of a Potable Isolation containment System
    • Recording of Radio Communication on the Network
    • Deployment of Advance Medical Post- (AMP)
  • Trinidad and Tobago Police Service would ensure:
    • There should be no parking on the Claude Noel Highway
    • Joint Operations with Police and Army
    • All groups interested in camping must send letters to the Assistant Commissioner of Police and by so doing officers would patrol these camp sites to ensure that campers remain safe for the camp period.
  • Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service would ensure:
    • Officers would be present at all carnival events
  • TOBAGO REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY would ensure:
    • Nurses would be assigned to the Casualty Department and Advance Medical Post, with pay for their services.
    • Doctors would volunteer needed services
    • The Scarborough Regional Hospital would be on alert for the influx of casualties.
  • Emergency Medical Services:
    • Provide three (3) Ambulances

Agencies represented were:  6^TH BATTALION TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CADET FORCE, TOBAGO REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, ADVENTIST DISASTER RELIEF AGENCY, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FIRE SERVICE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO COAST GUARD, WATER AND SEWAGE AUTHORITY, TOBAGO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO REGIMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION, AIRPORT AUTHORITY, CARIBEL, CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES- TOBAGO , DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, THE METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.

The following are Photos of the meeting:

				Mr. John Boze