Mr. Desmond J. Lightbourne has been employed with the Department of Disaster Management, DDME since 2008 and currently holds the position of Community Preparedness Manager (CPM) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He is responsible for the department’s Community Preparedness and Shelter Management Programmes. He is also responsible for supporting the National Emergency Warehouse in Providenciales and any satellite stores present in North and Middle Caicos. He also acts as a liaison officer with the District Commissioner for North and Middle Caicos.

Mr. Lightbourne holds several certificates in Leadership Management, Project Management, Shelter Management, Incident Command System, Community Emergency Response Team, and Emergency Operations Center,Training for Instructors, Critical Incident Management, National Intervention Team Training, Building GIS Applications in Support of Disaster Risk Management, Orientation of Operations Personnel, Initial Damage Assessment, Damage and Needs Assessment, Aircraft Accident Response Training, Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment, Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation, Tsunami Ready, Basic Fire Extinguisher Training, Planning building and sustaining Public-Private Partnership, Mobilizing Faith-Based Community Organizations in preparing for Disasters, Limited English Proficiency, Excellence in Volunteer Management(Advance Level). He also maintains certification as a National Trainer in the TCI.

Ms. Joanna Wilson, has been appointed as the Community Preparedness Officer, for the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands as of 21 August, 2017 and is stationed at the Providenciales Office.

During her tenure, her duties will entail assisting in the development and management of the Department’s Community Preparedness Programme. This programme involves: training programs for community members, drafting community disaster plans, undertaking vulnerability capacity assessments, collating basic community profiles and socio-economic data on vulnerable communities, promoting public education and awareness programs, guiding and facilitating community disaster committees and organizing national, district and community-based simulation exercises.

Ms. Andrea Been has been employed with the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), since 2005 and currently holds the position as the Public Information and Education Officer (PIEO) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Ms. Been is responsible for developing, implementing and maintaining an ongoing Public Awareness and Education Programme which is designed to keep government agencies, private and voluntary organisations and members of the public fully informed on all aspects of disaster threats and measures to which they may be prone.

She is also responsible for raising the corporate profile of the Department and to ensure that the organisation’s services are widely known, understood and accepted by the public.

Ms. Been holds an Associate Degree in Business Administration (AD) several certificates in Shelter Management, Incident Command System, Community Emergency Response Team, and Emergency Operations Center.

Mr. Kevern De Bellott has been appointed as the Hazard Mitigation Officer for the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands as of 2019 and will be stationed at the Providenciales Office.

Mr. De Bellott holds a Master’s Degree in Geoinformatics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Agriculture Science, both from the University of the West Indies in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, he has certified training in Advanced Spatial Data Management and Hazard Risk Calculation. He began his professional career as a Geographical Information System (GIS) Intern at the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, then served as a Research Assistant and GIS Lab Demonstrator respectively at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

In recent years Mr. De Bellott held the position of GIS Specialist at the Caribbean Transportation Consultancy Services Company based in Trinidad where he played an instrumental role in the design and development of various GIS Databases, led the successful deployment of state-of-the-art data collection hardware and software and championed the implementation of WebGIS applications in the organization.

He has a keen interest for the use of GIS and Remote Sensing for Disaster Management and Response, with special emphasis on utilizing these technologies for Rapid Post-Hurricane Damage Assessment. He currently has published scholarly work in the West Indian Journal of Engineering and intends to build on this research.

In his new role as Hazard Mitigation Officer he will be responsible for assisting the administration of the Department’s Mitigation & Planning Programme; which involves analyzing hazard data utilizing GIS software, developing hazard maps for the implementation of national pre-disaster planning and prevention measures, and recommending mitigation measures. He will also be assisting with the implementation of physical and contingency plans and scientific programmes to ensure the existence of adequate emergency standards and planning and building regulations for the protection of the public and for reducing the physical impact of hazards on the built and natural environment.

Mr. De Bellott holds a Master’s Degree in Geoinformatics and a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Agriculture Science, both from the University of the West Indies in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, he has certified training in Advanced Spatial Data Management and Hazard Risk Calculation. He began his professional career as a GIS Intern at the Water and Sewerage Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, then served as a Research Assistant and GIS Lab Demonstrator respectively at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus.

Mr. Mike Clerveaux is responsible for the administration of the Department’s Mitigation & Planning Programme; which involves analysing hazard data utilizing GIS software, developing hazard maps for the implementation of national pre-disaster planning and prevention measures, and recommending mitigation measures to support sustainable development and planning in the Territory.

Mr. Clerveaux holds a MSc Built Environment (Specialization in Geomatics) and a BSc Urban & Regional Planning, both from the University of Technology, Jamaica and a Diploma in Secondary Education (Specialized in Industrial Arts) from Mico Teachers College, Jamaica. He also has completed a wide range of professional development courses which include Leadership Development; Financial Management and Reporting; Building GIS Applications in Support of Disaster Risk Management; Damage Assessments & Needs Analysis (DANA); Emergency Operations Management; GIS Management and Hurrevac (for the tracking of storms); and a Certificate in Business Continuity Management from H. Lavity Stout Community College, British Virgin Islands

Mr. Dwaine Simmons has been employed with the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), since 2000 and currently holds the position of Radio Technician and Logistic Officer (RLTO) at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He is responsible for ensuring that the various existing means of emergency telecommunication are fully operational at all times, and to ensure that systems are operable during emergency/disaster situations. He is also responsible for ensuring that emergency communication with relevant stakeholders is available during disasters (except in instances where systems may be affected during an adverse event).

Mrs. Keana Taylor-Landy joined the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), on October 1st 2019 and currently holds the position of Administration Officer within the Department in the in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Mrs. Taylor-Landy, has responsibility for the smooth operation of administrative functions in the office which includes; supporting the preparation of budgets, establish and maintain supplier accounts, maintain financial files and records, administer and maintain Departmental record systems, manage databases and manage systems for the filing, storage and security of documents.

Mr. Mark Wilkinson is the Radio Communications & Telecommunications Specialist at the Department of Disaster Management & Emergencies within the Turks & Caicos Islands Government.

He is responsible for the design and implementation of a robust Emergency Radio & Telecommunication system for the Turks & Caicos Islands. Mr. Wilkinson will work with the DDME Team, Government Departments and Stakeholders to develop and maintain Emergency Communication systems throughout the islands.

Mark is a graduate of the Art Williams Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School, where he studied Aeronautical Engineering and specialized in Avionics Engineering, which comprises of Radio Communications, Radars, Compasses & Navigational Instruments. He is the holder of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers License issued by TCI Civil Aviation Authority & Guyana Civil Aviation Authority in accordance with the UK Air Navigation Order (OT) 2007 & British Civil Aviation Requirements, Section L of the UK Air Navigation Order 2001 Requirements.