Guiding Document for Disaster Operations Reviewed

MEDIA RELEASE | November 2, 2021.

SUVA- The Fiji National Disaster Management Office in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) conducted a table-top exercise as part of the final stages of review for the re-designed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).

Once finalised, the SOP will be a guiding document for the teams based in the NEOC in any future disaster operations in Fiji headed by the NDMO.

While addressing staff members of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management and representatives from relevant Government stakeholders during the virtual exercise last week, Acting Deputy Secretary for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Ms. Arieta Dimuri highlighted that the NDMO was mandated to review disaster preparedness arrangements under the Natural Disaster Management Act 1998.

“Furthermore, Preparedness is a policy objective of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy, encouraging strong process and coordination for preparedness that are activated through structural and non-structural measures. To achieve this, the NDMO is continuously undertaking activities to ensure that the Ministry is in a state of preparedness to respond rapidly and effectively to disaster situations. Preparedness activities such as the review of SOPs are undertaken with the support of government ministries, civil society organisations and development partners,” Ms Dimuri said.

“One such activity has been the administrative review of the NEOC SOP. This has been based largely on lessons learnt from past emergencies and disasters and of course, from discussions with you, the officers who are directly involved in response work here at the national level.”

The document was put to test yesterday after three months of discussions.

“I remind you all, that like any exercise, we are testing the process and not you, the person.  I encourage you the staff of the Ministry and our DSLOs (Disaster Service Liaison Officers) to consider your real-life roles and experience during the exercise and have fruitful discussions.”

She said as the lead agency during emergencies and disasters, the Ministry of Rural & Maritime Development and Disaster Management looked forward to the outcomes of the exercise.

The exercise will contribute to the finalisation of the SOP and is envisaged to provide some confidence as we move into the 2021/2022 Cyclone Season next week.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Community’s GEM Division is assisting NDMO with technical support in the administrative review of the SOP. The US AID Forestry Service assisted in putting together the playbook for the virtual tabletop exercise.