Caricom agency to meet on security

National Security Minister Martin Joseph is expected to open the workshop.

The security plan is being prepared by the Caricom Operational Planning and Coordinating Staff (Copacs). The workshop will involve the coordinators of the national security planning committees, and regional and international specialists. It will be chaired by Col Tony Anderson of the Jamaica Defence Force, who has been appointed overall commander of operations.

The meeting will examine regional and international support mechanisms for the implementation of national plans in support of a wider regional strategy including air and seaport security, mass casualty and disaster response, venue security and media support for plans and operations. It will also add momentum to existing planning exercises and acquaint national coordinators with approaches being employed by their regional counterparts. According to IMPACS Executive Director, Lance Selman, the workshop will aim at “finalising regional resource requirements, while providing direction on the process of continuous planning.”

The participation of persons with hands-on experience in events of this nature and scale significantly enhances its quality,” Selman said.

“This workshop will also offer a splendid opportunity to bring together all the key personnel engaged in security activities in the nine host nations.”