Emergency Policy Group of Montserrat meets
By James White
Tue, 10 May 2005, 17:05
A meeting of the Emergency Policy Group (EPG) was held at the newly-built Disaster Management Coordination Agency’s media centre in St. John’s on Tuesday May 10th, 2005.
The meeting, which was called to review the operational guidelines of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), was attended by H.E. the Governor Deborah Barnes Jones, Chief Minister (Ag) Mrs. Margaret Dyer-Howe, Honourable Attorney General Esco Henry-Greer, Honourable Financial Secretary John Skerritt, Director (MVO) Dr. Sue Loughlin, Director (DMCA) Captain Horatio Tuitt, Commissioner of Police John Douglas, Regional Affair Officer in the Office of the Chief Minister Claudia Skerritt, Richard Mallion (Governor’s PA), Deputy Director (DMCA) James White Jr.
The Director of the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), formerly the Emergency Department, set the stage for discussion by making a presentation on the existing EOC Operational Guidelines highlighting the strengths and weaknesses therein.
There were areas where updating were necessary because of a turnover in personnel and the change of contact numbers. One of the major areas which was thought to need serious attention was transportation into and out of Montserrat - vulnerability of both the seaport and heliport in the event of disasters, especially hurricanes.
It was noted that the helicopter and the ferry would seek safe havens once a storm is tracking in the vicinity of the Leeward Islands.
Critically important also was the need to ensure that prior to an emergency or disaster requisite items (e.g., food supplies etc.) are included on the needs list to be expedited to Montserrat following such an eventuality. The joint needs list would be forwarded to the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group through the regional umbrella organization CDERA.
Following extensive discussion on the contents of the operational guidelines a number of recommendations emanated aimed at strengthening the operational and response mechanisms to deal with natural and man-caused disasters in an effective and efficient manner.
As a precursor to the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season which is predicted to be a very active one, the EPG meeting concluded with a simulation exercise of Hurricane David which hit Dominica in 1979.
The exercise was geared towards testing the island’s state of preparedness.
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Captain Horatio Tuitt
Director
Disaster Management Coordination Agency,
St John's
Montserrat
Tel: (664) 491-7166
Fax: (664) 491-2465/7003
Email: tuittqh@gov.ms