The Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme launched in 2023 with nine enrolled cadets – this year 17 cadets were installed in the program which was developed to encourage young Bahamians to pursue careers in meteorology and related fields.
Energy and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis spoke to the students about the importance of the Department of Meterology, which is led by Jeffrey Simmons, acting director, where the work she said is “invaluable” and provides critical service.
“It is no secret that climate change is leading to more extreme weather and climate events such as longer and more intense heat waves, heavier rainfall, and severe hurricanes. Our vulnerability to the adverse impacts of weather events is increasing in many areas.
“By investing in the Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme, the Government of The Bahamas is giving young Bahamians an opportunity to become meteorological scientists and foster a sense of environmental stewardship.”
Coleby-Davis spoke to cadets about the dedication and service of industry trailblazers – former director, Kenneth Lightbourne and the first female meteorologist, Donna Duncombe.
She acknowledged the work of former directors, Arthur Rolle, and Trevor Basden, as well as Simmons.
She also spoke to the cadets about accomplishments of various meterologists.
Rolle was the third director of the Bahamas Department of Meteorology. Under his directorship, Family Island weather stations went fully automated. With the assistance of the United States of America Voluntary Co-operative Programme, he developed a storm surge atlas for the Northwest Bahamas. In 2009 Rolle was elected President of the World Meteorological Regional Association IV.
Basden was the fourth director. Under his directorship, the department acquired and installed four doppler weather radars to effectively cover the archipelago.
He has given numerous talks and lectures on hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and disaster preparedness to schools, civic groups, and disaster preparedness officials.
Simmons joined The Bahamas Department of Meteorology in 1979 as a meteorological trainee and now serves as acting director. With more than four decades of experience in tropical meteorology forecasting with emphasis on hurricane tracking and forecasting, he has also been actively involved in contributing to many documents on global climate change. He is The Bahamas’ permanent representative to the World Meteorological Organization. Under his directorship, the Niccolo P. Small Meteorology Cadet Programme was established.
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Publish date : 2024-09-02 00:30:00
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