Last week the Fire Department, in cooperation with Dutch Marines, began hurricane disaster drills on Saba. The Marines arrived Thursday on Saba. At 9AM on Friday the Fire Department gave a small demonstration to the Marines on the various disaster management materials used.
Friday night the Marines conducted some drills at the hurricane shelter in Windwardside. They called upon several volunteers to assist marines in exercises that elicit human behavior during a natural disaster.
Saturday Emergency Support Functions (ESF’s) met in The Bottom for another hands-on Hurricane drill with the Marines. This drill involved down trees, phone poles, a damaged car, and hurt civilians. Notably, the longest part of the exercise involved a simulation of an electrical pole falling on top of a car; pinning the occupants inside. A coordinated effort was made between the fire department, hospital, marines and police to help the "victims" inside the car. Before the Marines left on Sunday, there was a de-briefing and overview of the weekend’s events.
Disaster Coordinator and local Fire Chief, Julio Every, stated to the GIS, "The exercise and cooperation was a success. However, there is always room for improvement in these kinds of situations. This was a good opportunity to test the readiness of our island in the event of a natural disaster".
Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com