The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) continues its proactive efforts to ensure readiness for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. As part of these efforts, the Turks and Caicos Islands Cadet Corps was invited to collaborate with DDME in preparing essential supplies for rapid deployment in the event of a disaster.
On Saturday, 7 June 2025, 26 members of the TCI Cadet Corps joined DDME personnel at two key storage facilities on Providenciales. The Department taught the cadets how to complete critical tasks; including inventory checks, sorting supplies, and the assembly of mini emergency kits. This practical exercise will not only contribute to national preparedness efforts but, also offered the Cadets invaluable hands-on experience in disaster response operations.
Maintaining an accurate and well-managed inventory of emergency supplies is vital to ensuring a swift and effective response during an emergency. Proactive initiatives such as this enables the Department to act quickly, ensuring that shelters are properly equipped and essential items are readily available for distribution.
As the coordinating body for disaster response and recovery in the Turks and Caicos Islands, DDME is responsible for the timely distribution of items such as tarpaulins and sandbags to the public and cots, blankets, hygiene kits and other items to shelters when a Hurricane warning is issued. These efforts are supported through strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including the TCI Red Cross, the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR), and various government and private sector agencies.
This preparedness initiative was led by DDME’s Community Preparedness Manager, Mr. Desmond Lightbourne, with assistance from Radio & Telecommunications Manager Mr. Fabian Lewis, Training Officer Mrs. Patrina Pollard, and Community Preparedness Officer for Providenciales, Mr. Aaron Ballentyne. The Cadet Corps participants were supervised by 2nd Lieutenant Renaldo Scafe.
Collaborative efforts like this are critical in enhancing DDME’s operational readiness and reinforcing our shared responsibility for community safety before, during and after an emergency.
If you or your organisation is interested in volunteering, serving as a shelter manager, or offering a facility to be used as a shelter, we encourage you to contact us at ddme.tci@gmail.com.
Plan Ahead. Stay Ahead. — 2025 Hurricane Season
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