The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in collaboration with the Caribbean
Disaster Emergency Management Agency Coordinating Unit (CDEMA CU) conducted a virtual National
Level Tabletop Exercise (NLE) to test its operational capabilities and to evaluate the national plans and
policies that are in place to achieve the national level of preparedness required to prepare for and respond
to catastrophic events. Over one hundred persons participated in this exercise which took place on
Thursday 3rd March, 2022.
The purpose of the exercise was to build preparedness for threats and hazards by providing a low–risk,
cost–effective environment to test and validate plans, policies, procedures, and capabilities. Also to
identify resource requirements, capability gaps, capacity, strengths, areas for improvement, and potential
best practices.
The Objectives of the National Level Exercise were:
• To review and update the National Emergency Management plan and annexes where applicable.
• To evaluate the validity of the National Emergency Management Plan and identify gaps and
challenges in the different aspects of the plan.
• To identify areas for strengthening the different aspects of the National Emergency Management
Plan and to familiarize stakeholders with their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the plan.
According to Director of NEMO, Michelle Forbes, this exercise presented an opportunity for government
agencies, the private sector, non–governmental organizations and community groups to test operational
capabilities and to evaluate their plans and policies. Forbes stated that stakeholders were also given the
opportunity to familiarize themselves with their roles and responsibilities as outlined in the National
Emergency Management Plan.