What happens behind the scenes before, during and after a disaster? Saint Lucians will get a closer look this Thursday, November 5, when the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) opens its doors for its inaugural NEMO Day.
From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visitors to NEMO’s Secretariat in Bisee will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations of chainsaw use, emergency radio operations and the organisation’s search and rescue drone. They can also meet staff and learn how schools, volunteers, government agencies and communities help prepare the country for emergencies.
The event follows a public awareness survey that identified gaps in understanding of NEMO’s mandate and functions. Under the theme “NEMO: More than you know” and tagline “Discover our people, our purpose, our work,” the organisation hopes to bring that work into clearer focus.
For families and students, the demonstrations will connect disaster preparedness with practical skills and technology used to protect lives and support recovery.
The event also coincides with World Tsunami Awareness Day, placing particular emphasis on tsunami awareness and evacuation preparedness.
Happy Tots Preschool, recognised by NEMO as the first preschool to establish its tsunami and evacuation protocols, has been invited to share its experience. Its example highlights how preparedness can begin in early childhood and help build safer school communities.
Schools, government agencies and members of the public are invited to attend, ask questions and explore their own role in national preparedness.
For visitors, NEMO Day offers a chance to move beyond knowing where the organisation is located to understanding how its work—and their own preparation—can help protect families, livelihoods and communities.
