NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (JULY 24, 2014) — The first smartphone Disaster Management application (app) designed by the Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) was launched on July 22, 2014. Premier of Nevis and Minister responsible for Disaster Management Hon. Vance Amory welcomed the history making technology the first of its kind by any government department in St. Kitts and Nevis,
In remarks at the launching ceremony at the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Premier Amory explained the importance of the app and its benefits.
“I am indeed pleased to recognise another significant initiative of the Nevis Disaster Management Department under the design and directorship of Lester Blackett…given the susceptibility and vulnerability of the Caribbean to the many hazards we face annually…but the important thing is that, we must recognise that that vulnerability covers everybody. There is nobody who is immune because it could have tremendous economic, social, physical and emotional impact on all the people of our island…
“This application which we launch today, also provides details of the Nevis Disaster Management plan, the current activities, Caribbean and international disaster organization websites, including the US National Hurricane Centre and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre,” he said.
Amory hailed the app and stated its importance to disaster management on the island.
“The Premier’s Ministry and the Nevis Island Administration is pleased to welcome a new cutting-edge platform, the first smart phone application designed within government…The Nevis Disaster Management Department app…has significant implications for disaster management and risk reduction in Nevis in St Kitts and other islands in the neighbouring islands and farther afield.
“This app will provide a great deal of information including real time data and forecast…So to have [information] in real time and to have the forecast which is so important to warn us and to help us prepare, I think this is a critical aspect of this application, ” he said.
The Premier also encouraged the public to download the app once it was made available and commended the NDMD for embarking on the landmark initiative.
“We therefore want to encourage every single person who has the ability to acquire the technology to use it…Our effort this morning, is to enable all of us and I want to encourage all of our citizens and anybody who has access, to take whatever necessary action you must take and have to take and use the available avenues and information which could make the difference between being adequately prepared and in a position to protect your property, preserve life and have knowledge of where help could be obtained and this app will provide that as well.
“It is a very commendable effort, very commendable initiative and it will the difference in the life of all the people of Nevis and St. Kitts and whoever choses to use it. This app will make a big difference and I commend it to use by all of us who are able to access it through a smart phone or a Blackberry,” he said.
Also present at the launching ceremony was Director of the Nevis Disaster Management Department Lester Blackett, Representative for Caribbean Cable Communications Mario Phillip, Telca Wallace of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Director of the Department of Information Huey Sargeant, who chaired the event.