CDC trains GDF reserve officers in Emergency Operations Management

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) continues to extend its mandate of delivering Disaster Risk Management (DRM) training across Guyana. The CDC recognizes and understands the importance of inter-agency collaboration and support in the successful management and coordination of disaster relief and response operations. As a result, the Commission has embarked on a journey to ensure that all stakeholder agencies possess the requisite knowledge and understanding of the tenets of Disaster Risk Management. This journey has led the CDC to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and its Reserve Battalion.

During the period June 29-30, 2013 eighteen (18) Reserve Officers from the Second Infantry Battalion were trained in Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Management and certified by the CDC to function as Emergency Operations Centre Managers. This course was attended by officers from the rank of Second Lieutenant to that of Lieutenant Colonel, and serves as a good indicator of prevailing relationship between the CDC and the GDF. The GDF plays an integral role in assisting the Commission in achieving its mandate. Whenever there is an emergency/disaster, the GDF is often times called upon to provide shelter managers, Assistant Operations Officers and other personnel needed to staff the Emergency Operations Centre. The Reserve Battalion of the GDF is tasked to with supporting the GDF in achieving its mission and with the training of these Reserve Officers; the Force is now equipped with requisite trained personnel needed to manage the Emergency Operations Centre during emergencies/disasters.

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Management workshop was facilitated by Major Kester R. Craig and Captain Sean F. Welcome. Discussion forums and a functional simulation exercise were used to test the participants’ assimilation and understanding of the course content. Topics were covered during the workshop include Introduction and Overview, Role of the Emergency Operations Centre in Disaster Management, Designing the Emergency Operations Centre, Managing the Emergency Operations Centre, Operating the Emergency Operations Centre, Use of Exercising in evaluating the Emergency Operations Centre Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),  The Psychological and Social Climate of the Emergency Operations Centre and Media Relations and Briefings within the Emergency Operations Centre.(CDC)