Date Posted: October 23, 3009.


The Valley, Anguilla, (DDM) - The National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC) through the National Relief Working Group and the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) Working Group conducted a Live Operational Disaster Recovery Exercise on Monday 19th October, 2009 in coordination with the HMS Iron Duke.

The scenario entailed a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred about 10 miles east of Anguilla and caused significant damage within the Island Harbour area.

This exercise was to evaluate the operational procedures, known as the “Concept of Operations”, in place for Relief Operations. This involved receiving relief supplies from the ship and other organisations; performance and utility of personnel involved in Relief and DANA operations and timings for transport of goods.

The exercise took place, at four main locations with two operational phases.

Phase 1 – The exercise started with a phone call stating the Iron Duke was sending a helicopter with the Captain of the Iron Duke offering to take HE the Governor, Mr. Alistair Harrison, and the Director of Disaster Management, Mrs. Elizabeth Klute, (DirDM) on a reconnaissance flight around the island to identify areas most affected as they were nearby in Montserrat. At the same time the members of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) Emergency Management Group (EMG) started responding to Police Headquarters. Following the flight the Emergency Management Group, led by the Deputy Governor, Hon Mr Stanley Reid, met to be given the Initial Situation Status Report (SitStat) and define the Initial Action Plan (IAP) for prioritising response to the incident. Immediately after, the Disaster Executive Group (DEG) comprising HE the Governor, the Honorable Chief Minister, Mr Osborne Fleming, the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Attorney General, Deputy Governor and NEOC Director (DirDM) met to review the draft Initial Action Plan and agree the way forward. The exercise gave opportunity for the Captain and Incident Commander Shore from the HMS Iron Duke to become familiarized with the protocols and procedures of the National Response Plan. As the Captain later stated, “it enabled us to put faces to people we will be working with in the unfortunate event of an emergency.

Phase 2 – Additional locations included; The Sandy Ground Police Pier, where goods were simulated entering Anguilla and steps taken to ensure these goods were properly recorded and accounted for. The Iron Duke had meanwhile anchored in Road Bay and the Ships Logistics Officer and Ships Doctor came ashore bearing Jerry Cans of fresh cold water for the relief efforts; The Ruthwill Auditorium, used as the National Relief Coordination Point, was the next stop in the transport of goods facilitated by Anguilla Fire and Rescue. This is where Relief supplies were sorted and packaged into different types of kits and then lastly sent on to the St. Andrews Anglican Church in Island Harbour with the aid of Fire, MICUAF, and Environmental Health, where the grounds were utilised as a Relief Distribution Centre.

The Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Team meanwhile, examined selected buildings in Island Harbour and identified damage to structures as well as needs of the residents or guests related. One victim required the DANA to think quickly to provide basic medical aid for his simulated injuries. Affected persons came to the Relief Distribution Centre with coloured bands that signified the type of Relief they required.

The exercise was designed to equip participants with knowledge, skills and techniques on identifying immediate needs; distribution chain of Relief supplies from the point of acquisition to delivery and also highlights the interdependency and need for teamwork between those evaluating need and those providing for them.

Testing of transport of relief supplies from the large ships via the islands fishermen and relief helicopter transport functions will be tested at a future date.

“We were very pleased with this first effort to test the Concepts of Operations for Relief and the integration of the DANA process stated Mrs. Klute, Director Disaster Management. “Practice is key to a successful response and avoiding a” Second Disaster” which occurs with overwhelmed relief operations. We wish to especially thank Commanding Officer Andrew Stacey, Captain of the HMS Iron Duke for his participation and providing his excellent personnel in support of this effort and Defence Attache, Colonel Salisbury, for his leadership in facilitating this event following a successful ferry boat exercise with the Fort George in July”.

This training was very important, as we endeavor to equip persons with the requirements to meet the needs of their communities. As such all Government of Anguilla employees are encouraged to pre-designate areas of preferred interest within the Disaster Management and Recovery Programmes and to do their part in strengthening Anguilla’s Disaster Response.

On behalf of the Relief and DANA Working Groups and the National Disaster Management Committee, we would like to thank all those who participated in and supported this exercise either with their time or use of their resources.