August 25th, 2026. Marsh Harbour, Abaco – The DRM Authority hosted a weeklong Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) and Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) training in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, from August 17th to the 21st.
Led by Shaloma Carroll-Miller and the Disaster Infrastructure and Recovery Team, the training acquainted government, nonprofit, and private-sector stakeholders with the reporting processes used by the DRM Authority.
The training helped participants gain skills to rapidly assess and report damage following a disaster, ensuring authorities can respond swiftly and accurately across The Bahamas. This effort supports the Authority’s commitment to empowering Family Island communities to respond decisively to disasters.
The immersive, weeklong training featured expert instruction on current industry standards and best practices for post-disaster damage and needs assessments. The goal of the training is to enable officials on the island to accurately report damage following a disaster and identify needed supplies in a timely manner. This will allow for efficient, rapid emergency response, ultimately saving lives.
At the conclusion of the learning modules, participants completed hands-on drills to apply their new skills and test their ability to function and communicate as a team, as they would in an emergency scenario.
Minister the Hon. McKell Bonaby and Managing Director Aarone Sargent were both on hand to witness the training. They participated in the fast-paced exercise, which tested their concentration and speed.
Managing Director Sargent also gave the Minister a tour of the island’s debris-disposal sites, providing a firsthand view of one of the Authority’s most successful efforts to date.
IDA and DANA training are the latest in the DRM Authority’s ongoing work to engage and empower Family Island communities. By building local capacity, the Authority is strengthening the country’s disaster response capabilities, one island at a time.
We all have a role to play in building a safer and more resilient Bahamas. Find out how you can get involved at www.getreadygov.bs.
