POND ISLAND–The first meeting of the Disaster Management Organization (EOC) for 2019 was held in the Government Administration Building by Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin on February 8.
Nine of the 10 Emergency Support Function (ESFs) groups, support staff, the Prosecutor’s Office, the governor’s aide and a representative of the Dutch Military stationed on Sint Maarten were part of the meeting.
Topics covered in that first meeting included the continuation of the VNG International to lend support and expertise to prepare and strengthen ESFs upon request. VNGI will also support the EOC in its efforts to update legislation relates to disaster management and the lines of authority during a disaster.
The annual Hurricane Drill HUREX is scheduled for June. This year, the exercise will bring together all ESFs for an extensive training over a number of days. The public will be informed further leading up to the annual drill.
Plans for two events initiated last year – the Taking Charge Disaster Conference and Hurricane Expo are slated for July 5 and 6. The onference will bring together ESFs and key stakeholders on the first day. Day 2 will switch to the Hurricane Expo to cater to the public and will feature businesses and non-governmental organizations NGOs that are geared to hurricane preparedness.
Marlin-Romeo told the press on Wednesday another national drill/exercise is proposed for November. This exercise will not focus on hurricanes but another type of disaster yet to be determined and the objective is to involve more emergency response organizations from within the community.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/85176-eoc-readies-for-hurricane-season-disaster-conference-july-5-and-6
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