By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, Guardian Senior Reporter, kdl@nasguard.com

A high-ranking Defence Force officer has been named the new head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The Cabinet Office announced yesterday that Commander Stephen Russell of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has assumed the position of interim head of the organization.

His appointment took effect as of Monday. Commander Russell replaces Carl Smith, who has recently been posted as the country's Consul General to New York.

Commander Russell, who is on loan from the military organization, has previously been involved with the Disaster Relief and Recovery Unit of the Cabinet Office from 1992 to 2001, and served as Deputy Coordinator of the Unit from 1997 to 2001.

During that period he also served on the Board of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA).

The Cabinet Office assured that all appropriate steps are being taken to prepare The Bahamas for the onset of the hurricane season.

Commander Russell's posting comes less than a month before the start of the hurricane season which begins on June 1 and runs through November 30.

This year's hurricane season is expected to be above average.

Chief Meterological officer Basil Dean is urging residents to take advantage of the dry season and ensure that their premises are in "good shape" for the upcoming season.

And, while he pointed out that the rainy season statistically begins in late May, Dean said "If there are repairs needed, particularly to roof and windows, those should be done at this time."

In 2004, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne wreaked havoc in Abaco and Freeport, totally transforming the landscape, and in the process, disrupting the Bahamian economy.

International hurricane forecaster William Gray recently revealed that there would be seven Atlantic hurricanes, three of them major, during the 2008 season.

In 2005, Hurricane Wilma claimed the life of a one-year-old resident of Eight Mile Rock.

The preliminary forecast for this year calls for a total of 13 named storms in the Atlantic.