This Programme Area encompasses critical aspects related to the VI’s capacity to respond to disasters/emergencies and includes sub-programme areas related to:

• community preparedness,
• relief
• shelters
• emergency systems and communications

These sub-programme areas are elaborated on below:

Community Preparedness, Shelters, and Relief (Deputy Director and Community Relations Officer)

This sub-programme area deals with the following:

• Preparing the community for disaster/emergency situations: This is undertaken using community involvement in disaster management, where each individual in the Territory has the opportunity to contribute to plans and decision-making. Disaster risk reduction measures and awareness-raising for disaster mitigation is to be undertaken in various communities. Improved evacuation planning is also envisioned.
• Enhancing relief coordination and maintaining shelters: This refers to improving the relief distribution mechanism, policies and a finalization of disaster assistance guidelines. Ongoing management and monitoring of shelters will take place. The DDM will also be working closely with other Government departments, non-government organizations, churches, businesses and agencies to ensure plans are put in place for the shelter, welfare and provision of relief for persons in the Territory during a disaster.

Emergency Systems and Communications (Emergency Communications Manager and Emergency Communications Officer)

This sub-programme area allows for the maintenance of a modern and reliable emergency response infrastructure. The National Communications Control Centre (NCCC) is located at the DDM building in MacNamara. The NCCC provides the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) with emergency telecommunications facilities and early warning systems required for necessary information transfer before, during and after a disaster. This area also involves the establishment and maintenance of emergency information systems that support emergency and response operations and provides data for decision making, planning and development purposes. When necessary, the DDM also prepares and conducts training courses/exercises in the area of emergency communications. The set-up of an Emergency Call Handling Centre (ECHC) is envisioned as well as a testing of web-based EOC capability.