History

THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY RELIEF ORGANIZATION

The National Emergency Relief Organization (NERO) was established in 1985 after a group of concerned citizens, having witnessed the chaos caused by the lack of coordinated disaster management techniques emanating out of the events of the 1983 Grenada Invasion by United States Forces, sought to petition the then Government headed by Mr. Herbert Augustus Blaize. The Prime Minister, finding this to be a very good idea, agreed to provide minimal accommodations for one person at the Office of the Prime Minister located at the Botanical Gardens. This person operated on a voluntary basis and sought to liaise with other interest groups and parties to chart the way forward in disaster management in Grenada.  In 1985 the first draft National Disaster Plan was developed; a model which triggered today’s representation.

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NaDMA)

In October 2004, a mandate was agreed to in Cabinet to change the name from the National Emergency Relief Organization, to the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA). The purpose being to more adequately reflect the mandate of the Agency as one of disaster management and not just response. Also the Agency is committed to embracing the holistic effort of comprehensive disaster management as stipulatled by CDERA and thus this change was seen as quite timely.

LOCATION

The Agency is housed at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) located on Fort Frederick at Richmond Hill in the parish of St. George with a magnificent view of the picturesque inner harbour of St. George's, Her Majesty's Prison, the new Cruise Ship Complex, among others. This building also houses the National Disaster Office which is staffed by thirteen (13) persons.

NATIONAL DISASTER OFFICE

A full time National Disaster Office (NDO) was established in 1996.  It acts as a secretariat for NaDMA and is responsible for the day to day administration and execution of disaster management policies and programs.  This involves working with the public and private sectors, non-governmental and voluntary organizations, communities and individuals to prepare for and respond to various emergency situations.

NaDMA is a participating state of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency - CDERA which is the inter-governmental agency established by the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in September 1991.  CDERA has its headquarters at Manor Lodge, Lodge Hill, St. Michael, Barbados.

MISSION

The mission of NaDMA is to reduce the loss of life and property within Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique by ensuring that adequate preparedness, response and mitigation measures are in place to deal with the impact of hazards.

VISION

The vision of the Agency is to develop a culture of prevention and safety among all sectors of society.

STRUCTURE

NaDMA has five main groupings: