The Department of Disaster Management is conducting a national simulation exercise, code named “Deep Impact” tomorrow Saturday 12th November 2005 on Virgin Gorda.

“Exercise Deep Impact” is a full-scale simulation exercise that involves a ferryboat incident and other scenarios. These simulated events will trigger a mass causality disaster in which all response agencies will be called out to test their response capabilities.  The objectives of the exercise include testing alert notification, communication between agencies, coordination through the incident command system, crisis communication, and the adequacy of the health and medical response system. 

Usually details of this exercise would be withheld, however this year’s exercise scenario is provided to the public and the responding agencies, because an exercise of this magnitude has not been practiced before and it requires a high level of efficiency and training. 

Exercise “Deep Impact”, is a full-scale disaster simulation exercise designed and executed by the Department of Disaster Management.  Every year the Department of Disaster Management is required to design and execute a national full-scale exercise aimed at testing the territory’s disaster plan.

The public is kindly asked to cooperate while the simulation is in progress and are reminded that this is only an exercise.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Natasha Lettsome
Information Training Manager
Telephone:  494-4499
E-Mail:  nlettsome@gov.vg