The Coast Guard and Marine Police swooped down by boat on the Demerara River next to the National Milling Company’s (NAMILCO) port facility at Agricola along the East Bank of Demerara. It was the morning of Thursday February 15, 2018. The officers immediately set about investigating a suspicious boat on the waterfront shortly after a fire was set at the company’s property. It was an action-packed scenario that was staged as part of ‘Exercise Thunderboom’ aimed at testing the company’s emergency and port facility security plans. The exercise which started at about 9 a.m., included teams from participating companies, Sol Guyana Inc., Rubis Guyana Inc. and Falls Gas Station.
It also involved the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service, Ambulance Services and the Guyana Energy Agency alongside the Marine Police and Coast Guard. Exercise coordinator, Samantha Shiwbaran explained that the exercise was guided by the Martine Administration Department ,and is in keeping with the International Ship and Port Facility Security codes which require every port facility to conduct or participate in such an exercise annually.
“We are very pleased with the exercise as we had over 90 employees participating in a well-coordinated emergency plan. The security agencies supported us as planned. We have found a few areas where we can tighten up which will be the focus of the coming weeks. We take security and safety of our employees and customers very seriously,” said Shiwbaran.
Participants in Exercise Thunderstorm following a debrief
During the simulation exercise, security guards were also involved, where someone attempted to gain unauthorised access to the compound. The ‘assailant’ was quickly apprehended and detained until the police arrived. Everything from providing first aid, calling first responders and utilising the evacuation routes were tested during the operation which lasted for about two hours.
“These are scenarios that can happen at any time. Our job is to ensure that we have the best response that will safeguard life and property. We also want to ensure that our staff is familiar with the plan, so that when something happens we don’t have persons panicking. The law enforcement agencies were satisfied with the plans we have in place,” Shiwbaran related. NAMILCO has been certified as ISPS compliant since 2009.
Source: Kaieteur News
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