The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) has successfully concluded a five-day High Frequency Equipment Installation and Training Workshop aimed at strengthening emergency communications and disaster response capabilities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The workshop culminated in a closing ceremony held at the Police Training School Headquarters in Old Montrose, Kingstown, marking the completion of an intensive Training of Trainers programme conducted from June 15 to 19.
The initiative was funded through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) BRICS Programme and organized by NEMO in collaboration with CDEMA under the regional Upgrade to National Disaster Offices High Frequency Communications Project.
The programme focused on equipping participants with the technical knowledge required to install, maintain and operate high-frequency radio systems that play a vital role during emergencies when conventional communication networks may be disrupted.
Senior Programme Officer for Telecommunications at CDEMA, Courtney King, said the week-long training provided participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in managing emergency communications systems.
King explained that participants examined the various components of high-frequency radio equipment, including assembly, disassembly and programming, while also learning how to configure communication systems for different operational requirements and expand emergency communication networks in the future.
Deputy Director of NEMO, Kenston Stoddard, highlighted the critical importance of reliable communication systems during disasters, noting that effective emergency communications remain one of the most valuable tools available to emergency management agencies.
He said the Sustainable Development Goals recognize emergency communications and early warning systems as essential force multipliers that strengthen preparedness, response and recovery efforts.
According to Stoddard, reliable communication networks allow emergency responders to coordinate more effectively during disasters, helping authorities protect lives, mobilize resources and deliver assistance to affected communities in a timely manner.
The workshop forms part of broader regional efforts to modernize disaster management systems and improve high-frequency communications among national disaster offices throughout the Caribbean.
By strengthening technical expertise across the region, CDEMA and its member states aim to improve coordination before, during and after emergencies, particularly in the face of increasingly frequent and intense natural hazards.
The training concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants in recognition of their successful completion of the programme, further expanding the pool of qualified personnel capable of supporting emergency communications in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.