A disaster simulation plan is currently being put into action in Port of Spain over the next two days, with participation from the police, Defence Force, meteorologists, and officials from Disaster Management Units in the 14 Municipal Corporations.
Should a disaster strike anywhere in Trinidad, among the first responders to assist the population would be the DMUs embedded in the 14 Corporations.
As the overseeing official within the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Acting Permanent Secretary Peter Mitchell outlined the objectives of the disaster simulation exercise.
“Our purpose, to execute effective disaster management, and our heart, to protect the human and physical assets of Trinidad and Tobago. The vulnerability of the Caribbean to such seasonal disasters has shaped much of our regional development capacity, with hurricanes in particular threatening the stability of economies, industries, infrastructure and, most regrettably, human lives.”
Addressing Tuesday’s opening ceremony, he said the exercise serves to strengthen national preparedness, testing of the systems, coordination, and resilience required to safeguard lives.
Senior Disaster Management Coordinator in the Ministry, Jerry David, says the event has been structured to highlight shortfalls in the current disaster management plan.
“We have asked decision-makers to be here. We didn’t ask for individuals who have to go and report back to somebody. They are people who can make decisions here, and they are going to make decisions as if the event is happening now. And that is when we are going to be able to test and see what are the gaps.”
Mr. David explained that the simulation is based on a Category 3 hurricane making landfall.
“Today everything will be decision-ready, actionable, and this will be demonstrated over the next two days, where we will be looking at the resources of each agency. The communication plan of each agency. Who talks to who? When? Whenever a response is necessary, who’s talking to who? The police, the Defence Force, the Fire Service. Who’s talking to who? And that’s what we’re going to work out here.”
PS Mitchell says the performance of first responders will help determine whether the country’s hurricane plans are workable and highlight areas that may need improvement.