Tobago’s emergency response capacity has been strengthened following the opening of the long-awaited CERT Speyside Response Center.
Director of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency, Allan Stewart, said the project was undertaken by the Tobago House of Assembly, with support from the Japanese government.
“In 2016, due to occupational health and safety issues, the emergency response centre located at Speyside had to be condemned. In 2017, a proposal was submitted to the Japanese government through their grassroots project for reconstruction of the Centre, and in 2018, it was approved.”
He explained that it is the only purpose-built community emergency response building in the entire Caribbean.
“What you will witness here today is a building that was well built, built for seismicity, wind-type events, and to deal with other types of natural hazards or hydro-meteorological events.”
Japanese Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Akima Umezawa, stressed that on-site response to disasters is most crucial. He noted the Japanese government’s readiness to support the project, as this centre allows for Tobago’s preparedness.
“From this perspective this centre is optimally located to have the local community being well organised for the accurate advice as well as swift provision of emergency relief supply. In addition, accumulating the various area-specific data during normal time is vital for disaster management.”
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, who was adamant that the centre’s construction be completed upon assuming office, also noted it is about ensuring TEMA’s effective response wherever people are located in Tobago.
“Critically this facility will also contain equipment for the measuring of earthquakes and our response to that. It will also house vehicular assets. It will house trained staff. It will house equipment for immediate response, medical response, and we are currently doing some work at the Charlotteville Health Centre that will allow for us to expand the services there.”
Mr. Augustine added that while Tobago has been spared many natural disasters, a level of vigilance must be maintained.
Eco-Industrial Development Company Limited was the project manager for the construction of the CERT Speyside Response Centre.