Anguilla’s National Disaster Management Committee conducted a National Earthquake exercise on October 30, 2012 to test the capacity of various agencies and how they would collaboratively respond to and recover from a moderate earthquake. The scenario was built around Anguilla experiencing a magnitude six point 4 (6.4) earthquake that caused widespread damage to the island.
The exercise, funded by the African Caribbean Pacific European Union (ACP EU) Plan Review project managed by Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), was designed to sensitise and provide training to various emergency services, Utilities and Emergency Operations Centre staff to improve the joint operational readiness and test unified action by examining the response and recovery capability of the emergency personnel; the interagency coordination and communication skills in an emergency situation on the island of Anguilla. A representative from CDEMA, the Department with oversight for Disaster Management in St. Maarten, and a local team of experts assisted in evaluating the exercise and proving input.
The earthquake scenario incorporated response, life safety aspects, simulated incidents, such as a Mass Casualty event in George Hill, over the side rescue at Back Street South Hill, Utilities component in Sandy Hill; decision-making, and then a review afterwards to discuss the strengths and or areas of improvement so as to strengthen the response of the operations within the facets of the National Emergency Operations Centre.
This drill sought to cement the commitment of Government towards cultivating an environment where we build our resilience and ensure we are equipped to manage all hazards.
The Department of Disaster Management would like to thank all the teams and volunteers who participated in and assisted with the exercise.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
