Government has launched its National Emergency Notification System (NENS) mobile app, which is set to undergo its first test run for registered users this Thursday.
The NENS app, which is available free to download, will allow direct communication with all subscribed users in the Cayman Islands in the event of a national emergency or disaster, a Government Information Services statement said.
On Thursday, 10 March, registered subscribers to the NENS mobile app will experience the first test of the system through a simulated tsunami exercise, as part of CARIBE WAVE, a regional exercise to develop and improve emergency responses to such an event.
The app, phase two of the establishment of the National Emergency Notification System (NENS), was developed by Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) in collaboration with key local and regional stakeholders.
NENS is a free mobile application that delivers emergency alerts directly to subscribers by email or SMS text and can be downloaded on their devices by going to nens.gov.ky.
Premier and Minister for Sustainability & Climate Resiliency, Wayne Panton, encouraged all Cayman Islands residents to subscribe to the mobile alert app.
“In a national emergency or disaster, safeguarding human life is of paramount importance. We all have a role to play in following the official guidance from HMCI to prepare for emergencies but we can’t always predict when a disaster or emergency will happen. That’s why it’s important to download the new mobile app so you can stay informed and know what action to take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the event of a national incident,” Panton said.
Receiving alerts critical to safety
HMCI Director Danielle Coleman stressed that the department is continually working to increase the number of ways that emergency messages are delivered to the public, to keep the community safe in a national emergency or disaster.
“Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere and without warning. HMCI has a number of methods by which we communicate with the public in emergencies, including by sending information to local media, posting to our website and social media sites, and the radio alert system established in in collaboration with Department of Public Safety Communications,” she said.
The emergency alert through the app, the statement said, will include details of the incident including what kind of incident it is, where it is primarily located (if applicable) and when it occurred.
The message will also include any essential public safety messaging such as instructions to stay away from the area or to seek higher ground.
The Cayman Islands is one of several Caribbean countries taking part in the Thursday’s exercise, which is coordinated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Coleman said the Cayman Islands will use the tsunami exercise to test and improve the national tsunami warning system.
“Regular exercising of response plans is critical to maintain readiness for an emergency. The simulated tsunami scenario will provide an opportunity for HMCI to exercise our operational lines of communications which includes the National Emergency Notification System, review our tsunami response procedures, and promote tsunami preparedness,” she added.
Subscribers to the NENS mobile app will receive a test notification to their mobile device as part of the exercise.
How to get the app
- Visit nens.gov.ky to opt-in to the service; Choose ‘app’ and provide your email to sign up.
- Download the AtHoc app, entering the email address you used to opt in to the service to verify and activate your account.
- AtHoc app will ask you for an organisation code. Your organisation code is HMCI. Press ‘send’.
- The screen will indicate you are now set up to receive notifications.
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