THE JOYS OF INTER- AGENCY COORDINATION DR. BARBARA E CARBY Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management Jamaica PAHO LEADERS COURSE FEB. 2003

THE JOYS OF INTERAGENCY COORDINATION Why is Inter – Agency Coordination important? TEAMWORK

THE JOYS OF INTERAGENCY COORDINATION As with any team, building the group into an efficient unit must take place before the day of the match - Response. TEAM LEADER: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION ROLE OF TEAM LEADER Team Leader must ensure that each member of the team knows their role and how that role Enhances overall effort. - Must be aware of capabilities of each agency and of any challenges it faces

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION:ROLE OF TEAM LEADER - Must TRY to address resource gaps through advocacy or other creative means Must develop training strategy, ensure skill level of entire team is high and appropriate to task

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION WHO SHOULD BE ON TEAM? Rule of thumb: BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE Will ensure skills available for all/most situations.

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION PRE-EVENT Include agencies in your work programme To provide technical advice, support Develop Multi-Agency Projects - Joint Projects eg. Flood Alert System

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION PRE-EVENT Cont’d Training – Workshops Simulation Exercises Drills (E.g. Benefits of FAHUM to recent response)

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION PRE-EVENT Cont’d Ensure mitigation, prevention matters included in work programmes of relevant agencies: environment physical planning national development planning

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION CHALLENGES It’s not all joys !

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION CHALLENGE No. 1 TURF: Everybody is sensitive when it comes to their turf. Team Leader needs to recognise this and manage situations with sensitivity

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION SUGGESTION Include them as much as possible in programmes: e.g. NMS technical input to evacuation planning MGD inputs into hazard management programmes

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION Ensure mitigation, prevention matters included in work programmes of relevant agencies: environment physical planning national development planning

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION CHALLENGE No. 2: RESOURCES Always a challenge Be creative : Equipment available from projects – so maximise opportunities e.g. Flood Warning System Project benefits to MGD,NMS,PDC,WRA Community

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION CHALLENGE No. 2 Cont’d Skills development: Include all team members in EM training programme – will allow development of specialist skills needed for Dis. Man.

INTER – AGENCY COORDINATION CHALLENGE No. 3 Tendency to focus on disaster management only after disasters: EM agency must monitor mitigation, prevention, recovery needs and ensure they arekept on agenda of responsible agencies

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION CHALLENGE No 4: MAKING EOC Concept work Some agencies may not support EOC – Wish to make own statements etc. Difficult – simulations, firm approach by EOC Director/ EM Agency

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION SUMMARY Level of success achieved depends on quality of leadership provided by EM Agency Keep team concept for all stages of Dis. Man. – not just post-disaster

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION Be inclusive Be supportive of other agencies’ programmes Ensure adequate training, skills development

INTER-AGENCY COORDINATION Summary Cont’d Finally …. ADVOCACY, ADVOCACY, ADVOCACY