How the DRM is Adopting a Proactive Approach for 2026 Hurricane Season

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Since its inception, the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) has taken the opportunity to conduct simulations, operations, and coordination efforts that’ll be implemented in the event of natural disasters through its National Readiness Exercise.

Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, DRM

“We’re now moving from just a reactive response thought process. This is what we call proactivity in action. We want to minimize and cut down our response time and coordinate through our agency partners the ability to get relief to our residents.”

He noted that the exercise has evolved over the years, transitioning from desktop drills to a command post that includes the construction of physical structures.

He says supporting agencies of the DRM are allocated specific stress tests.

Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, DRM

“The injection for this event was that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) received a request to feed 60 shelterees, so we wanted to test the speed the skill and to close any loopholes that may exist.”

This simulation involves the construction of the flex kitchen or field kitchen by officers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF).

Lead Mechanic for the RBDF, Lathan Bastian, says establishing the structure, which required mobilization from their Coral Harbour base to DRM’s Gladstone Road, took them one and a half hours.

However, in a crisis situation, the field kitchen represents only one component of deployment.

Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, DRM

“The flex kitchen is a small portion of a tent city that we have. To setup the entire city which we have tents, heads, showers, man made shelters we have that set up along with the flex kitchen the entire process will take three hours.”

Bastian asserts that in times of crisis execution can become tedious, however, he says they’re ready.

Lathan Bastian -Lead Mechanic, RBDF

“We all are trained to work efficiently, quickly, so the pressure of doing something for the betterment of the country is something that’s in our mandate.”