National Systems for Disaster Management Judy R. Thomas Barbados’ National Disaster Coordinator Disaster Management Specialist

LEADERS 2006 International Course on Development and Disasters PAHO in collaboration with the University of the West Indies and CDERA

Presentation Overview National Systems for Emergency Management Evolution of the CEM & IEMS Evolution of the CEM & IEMS The Caribbean System for CDM The Caribbean System for CDM Trends and Factors of Influence. Trends and Factors of Influence. The Way Forward The Way Forward

Objectives Participants will be able to: Define National Disaster Management Systems Define National Disaster Management Systems Understand the emergency management process with such a system Understand the emergency management process with such a system Compare and contract at least two national systems Compare and contract at least two national systems Understand the trends and factors that influence them Understand the trends and factors that influence them Explain the importance of networking Explain the importance of networking

National Emergency Management System National Emergency Management System A network of people and organisations responsible for dealing with emergencies in a community/country A network of people and organisations responsible for dealing with emergencies in a community/country

IEMS and CDM IEMS and CDM Conceptual Framework to increase emergency management capability by networking, coordinating, linkages, interoperability, partnerships and resource acquisition Conceptual Framework to increase emergency management capability by networking, coordinating, linkages, interoperability, partnerships and resource acquisition

Comparison of IEMS and CDM All Hazards Approach All Hazards Approach In All Phases of Disaster Cycle In All Phases of Disaster Cycle By All Actors and Stakeholders By All Actors and Stakeholders Towards the Attainment of Mutual Goals Towards the Attainment of Mutual Goals

Classification of Disasters Attack (conventional/nuclear) Attack (conventional/nuclear) Internal Disturbances (riots) Internal Disturbances (riots) Natural Hazards (met/seismic) Natural Hazards (met/seismic) Technological Hazards( spills) Technological Hazards( spills) Energy Shortages Energy Shortages

Historical Perspective Noah / First Recorded Flood First Recorded Flood Warning System (telling the population) Warning System (telling the population) Preparedness Action (building and Ark) Preparedness Action (building and Ark) Response Action (going into the ark) Response Action (going into the ark)

NOAH’s ARK

Historical Perspective US National Systems Reference Point – Transition in Emergency Management Cold War: focus on Nuclear Attack (Civil Defense) (External) Cold War: focus on Nuclear Attack (Civil Defense) (External) Civil Unrest: Aspects of Security, Mass Casualty, homelessness (internal) Civil Unrest: Aspects of Security, Mass Casualty, homelessness (internal) Alaskan Earthquake Alaskan Earthquake

TRENDS OF DIRECTION Expanded Scope to include Disaster Agents Expanded Scope to include Disaster Agents Decline in Disaster Assumption for Nuclear Planning Decline in Disaster Assumption for Nuclear Planning Shift in focus from security to viability of local community Shift in focus from security to viability of local community Increased organisations involved in Planning Increased organisations involved in Planning

Trends and Direction (1970) More Clearly defined Roles and Responsibilities More Clearly defined Roles and Responsibilities Focus on Preparedness and Training Focus on Preparedness and Training Better Integration Better Integration Provision of Organisation, Technology, and Management skills to cope with Disasters Provision of Organisation, Technology, and Management skills to cope with Disasters

BEFOFE CEM Agencies operating in State Systems were fragmented in management styles and focus on Individual Roles and Responsibilities Agencies operating in State Systems were fragmented in management styles and focus on Individual Roles and Responsibilities

Partners in Emergency Management National Government at all Levels: National/Federal, State, Local. National Government at all Levels: National/Federal, State, Local. Private Sector Private Sector NGOs and CBOs NGOs and CBOs Individuals in Communities Individuals in Communities Regional and International Regional and International

Partners in National System Policy Direction Management Structure Partners

Caribbean Perspectives Trends and Factors 1979 Watershed Year 1979 Watershed Year Caribbean Health Ministers’ Mandate. SLU Multi-Organizational Project: PCDPPP ( ) Multi-Organizational Project: PCDPPP ( ) Creation of CDERA (1991) Creation of CDERA (1991)

Caribbean Perspectives Trends and Factors Development of National Disaster Organisations Development of National Disaster Organisations Naming of National Disaster Coordinators Naming of National Disaster Coordinators Establishment of NEOCs Establishment of NEOCs Adoption of Policy/Legislation Adoption of Policy/Legislation

Elements of National Systems Ministerial Direction Ministerial Direction Disaster Legislation (Policy) Disaster Legislation (Policy) National Disaster Committee National Disaster Committee (Public Sector & other players) Planning Committees Planning Committees Work Programme Work Programme Staff Staff Budget Budget

Challenges in the System Collective Vision of CDM Collective Vision of CDM Buy In by Partners Buy In by Partners Staff Levels and competencies Staff Levels and competencies Adequate Resources Adequate Resources Insufficient Budget Insufficient Budget Tendency to focus on Preparedness and Response Tendency to focus on Preparedness and Response Lack of capacity to absorb Technical Support Lack of capacity to absorb Technical Support

Positive Developments Disaster Management as a Professional Discipline Disaster Management as a Professional Discipline Integration within Institutions of Learning Integration within Institutions of Learning Increasing Perplexity of Disaster Increasing Perplexity of Disaster Willingness to incorporate Lessons Learnt Willingness to incorporate Lessons Learnt Assistance from other disciplines Assistance from other disciplines

Summary National Systems Lead By Governments National Systems Lead By Governments Other Partners importance in the design of Systems Other Partners importance in the design of Systems 911 & Terrorism CWC & other hazards provide awareness and resources 911 & Terrorism CWC & other hazards provide awareness and resources Greater Emphasis Must be On Risk Reduction. Greater Emphasis Must be On Risk Reduction.

Let Us Talk!

Thank You For Your Kind Attention And Participation