ODPM Readies Health Sector For Disaster

Thursday July 3, 2014: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - In keeping with its goal of improving disaster preparedness in Trinidad & Tobago and building resilience, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) recently hosted a meeting with Heads of Institutions and Associations in the medical field, to discuss the "Role of the Health Sector in Disaster Risk Reduction."

The meeting, which was held at the ODPM's office in Tacarigua on Thursday June 26, 2014, was hosted by Dr. Stephen Ramroop, CEO of ODPM.

The well attended meeting had representatives from over 20 different organisations from both Trinidad and Tobago, including the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force and members of Civil Society.

In accordance with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Hyogo Framework for Action, the ODPM has been gearing the citizens of Trinidad & Tobago towards building a culture of safety and resilience by spearheading campaigns for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction across communities, government agencies, NGOs and the private sector.

Dr. Stephen Ramroop spoke in depth on the role of the Health Sector should a disaster occur. He emphasized that "one of the most important sectors in a country's readiness to deal with the impacts of disasters is the health sector." He went on to say that "In all emergencies, whether complex or simple, the ability for health care services to be delivered in a timely and sustained basis lies with the capacity of the health sector and the rapid, effective and efficient allocation of resources."

At the two-pronged event the ODPM also launched a booklet entitled Guide to Disaster Risk Reduction Programs for Health Care Institutions in Trinidad & Tobago. The booklet which is being circulated by the ODPM, is published by the World Health Organisation of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Multiple copies of this booklet were issued to over 40 attendees and approximately 4,500 copies of the booklet were requested from various health representatives.

Another apparent success of this meeting was the significant addition to the current skill set of the ODPM's existing volunteer database in a wide variety of fields such as First Aid, Health and Safety, Incident Command and Counselling, thereby building the ODPM's National Volunteer Programme and its capacity in the event of a disaster.

ENDS

About the ODPM

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) was commissioned on October 28 2005 as the only national entity mandated to bring disaster management to the forefront of the national consciousness.

The ODPM therefore, represents a strategic shift in disaster management from the reactive measures to a more pro-active model of comprehensive modern disaster management, which integrates planning and development into all phases of the disaster management cycle.

The ODPM is responsible for preparing and executing programmes which address the four phases of the disaster management cycle - preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery. As such, the ODPM:

      Monitors the incidence of disasters in Trinidad and Tobago

 Defines and Coordinates the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholder Ministries and Agencies and

      Ensures the safety of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in times of disaster

The ODPM co-ordinates the roles and responsibilities of the nation's emergency response team consisting of the Defence Force, the Police Service and the Fire Service working in tandem with the Regional Health Authorities.

In accordance with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) Hyogo Framework for Action, the ODPM has been working towards creating a culture of safety and resilience in the Trinidad &Tobago population and has led campaigns throughout the country on disaster risk reduction (DRR) across communities, government agencies, NGOs and the private sector.

The present focus of the ODPM is on mainstreaming DRR by forming clusters of volunteers within the five main amenities such as food, shelter, the environment, water and health which have been identified as critical elements to providing relief to citizens during and after the adverse impacts of a disaster.

The ODPM Website is at http://www.odpm.gov.tt/