B.V.I. Thursday, October 22 – The director and staff of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) hosted a round table discussion yesterday with representatives from the Governor’s Office and the HMS Iron Duke of the Royal Navy.
The purpose of the meeting was to examine the Territory’s level of readiness specifically for the impact of hazards and to learn more about the capabilities of both the Virgin Islands’ disaster management system and the Royal Navy vessels.
The meeting included a presentation made by Commanding Officer Andrew Stacy describing their humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. Commander Stacy explained that the primary aim of such relief is to provide immediate first aid assistance to UK Overseas Territories. He further stated that “The Virgin Islands is the fourth UK overseas territory that the Iron Duke has visited during this hurricane season. As an overseas dependent territory of the United Kingdom, it is the mandate of the Governor that the Territory receives assistance to cope when its capacities become overwhelmed and lives are at stake as a result of the impact of hazards.” Commander Stacey was accompanied by Operations Officer Michael Quinn and Senior Communications Rating Paul Adkins.
During this visit the ship’s doctor is scheduled to meet with the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Irad Potter and Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority, Dr. Ronald Georges, to discuss the Territory’s medical capabilities. The HMS Iron Duke has deployable ashore teams which includes a medical team to assist in immediate first aid in the event of a natural disaster.
They also toured the DDM’s facilities which included an extensive examination of the emergency communications systems. The Commander and his staff were very impressed with the level of emergency communications resources available and undertook a successful exercise to test communication links between the DDM and HMS Iron Duke.
A reconnaissance flyover was also conducted to examine vulnerable areas throughout the Virgin Islands. The acting Chief Planner, Marva Titley Smith, Building Supervisor Mr. Perry Penn and DDM’s Information and Education Manager Linton Leonard accompanied a lieutenant, pilot and a photographer of the HMS Iron Duke to identify and examine such areas.
All footage captured will be handed over to the DDM to serve as baseline data for planning, development and disaster management purposes.
The meeting proved to be mutually beneficial for the DDM and the HMS Iron Duke as key information such as maps of critical infrastructure and vulnerable sites were shared.
To learn more about the Department of Disaster Management and its functions, call the main office at 468-4200, or visit the office at #3 Wailing Road, McNamara, Road Town.
Detailed information can also be accessed via the Department’s website at www.bviddm.com.
British Virgin Islands News