The Royal Bermuda Regiment is to embody at 4pm today in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Fiona.

The 131 troops are on duty by order of the Acting Governor, Tom Oppenheim.

Five immediate response teams are being mobilised, including one with maritime capability, to be based at the Southside Police station during the storm.

The remaining four units, and support elements will be based in Warwick Camp.

Major Duncan Simons, commander of the operation, said: “The Regiment is tasked with providing immediate response teams, reassurance patrols, command and control elements, and reconnaissance capability in order to facilitate post storm recovery.

“Our immediate task is to clear main roads to ensure the safe passage of emergency vehicles.

“Once achieved, secondary roads will be cleared, and focus will shift to requests to support key infrastructure or vulnerable persons at the direction of the Emergency Measures Organisation.”

He added: “When safe to do so, the RBR Coastguard Unit will be on the water to ensure maritime safety, working closely with Marine and Ports.

“We ask that the public heed warnings from the Bermuda Police Service to stay off of the roads during and in the hours after the storm. This will help the Regiment, Parks Department, and Works and Engineering to safely do our jobs.

“Finally, the public should note that all requests for support should be directed to the EMO operations centre at 444-1447, and not the Regiment.

“The Regiment plays a central role in ensuring our resilience as a country, whether it be after a natural or manmade disaster, in our security role, or on Bermuda’s waters.

“We thank the public for their support, and invite anyone resident in Bermuda to consider a career of public service as a reserve RBR soldier by visiting RBR.BM or calling 238-1045.”