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“DISASTER MANAGEMENT * PRESERVING LIFE AND PROPERTY”

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THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (NEMO) FOR APRIL 2003 TO MARCH 2004, BELMOPAN, BELIZE CENTRAL AMERICA

RODUCTION The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) experienced a very

ntful year even though there were virtually no major incidents necessitating its responses. The st significant events that affected NEMO throughout this period under review were the tional and Municipal elections that were held on March 5, 2003; after which a new Minister s appointed with the responsibility for Disaster Preparedness. The Rt. Hon. George Price, the her of the Nation and the founder of NEMO retired from active politics. The Hon. Sylvia res, Minister of Defence and NEMO took over for eleven months and after a Cabinet alignment” handed over to the Hon. Godfrey Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defence NEMO. The National Emergency Coordinator (NEC), Mr. Anthony Sylvestre, who is dited with being the first NEC and for the development of the NEMO Secretariat to a full-e agency, was elevated to the post of Chief Executive Officer and then to Chairman of the lic Services Commission. He was succeeded by his former deputy, BG (ret’d) Earl Arthurs.

On October 6, 2003, and after eighteen months of waiting, the NEMO Secretariat finally ved into their new and spacious purpose built headquarters. This was marked with a gigantic uguration Ceremony attended by over six hundred official guests followed by a Regional nference attended by thirty-five (35) participants from the Caribbean and Central American ions. Both activities were fully funded by the British High Commission in Belize. The NEMO adquarters also houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence and NEMO in addition to the MO Secretariat with their operational areas.

The NEMO Secretariat continues to build on the successes of the past by maintaining the tnerships with the Public Service, the Non Government Organizations (NGOs), the Private anization (POs), Regional and International Organizations. We have established a new

tnership with the Louisiana Army and Air National Guard who has a wealth of experience in ergency Management as they are also responsible for the Emergency Operations Centre in the te of Louisiana, USA. Our partnership with CDERA continues to bear fruits as we complete first year of the Caribbean Hazard and Mitigation Project (CHAMP); took receipt of a Search Rescue Vehicle and benefited from numerous workshops, seminars and meetings. The hlight of our partnerships for this period was the Allied Forces Exercise in Panama which is ually sponsored by the United States Southern Command in March. FAHUM 2004 as it is bed, enabled a delegation of seventeen (17) Belizean to exercise along with over four dred (400) participants from the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States.

The aim of this report is to highlight the activities of the National Emergency

nagement Organization for the period of April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 and make ommendations.

ION NEMO’s vision is to develop a society that is fully prepared and can respond

ctively to the impacts of both natural and technological hazards utilizing the prehensive disaster management principles adopted by CDERA.

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MISSION 6. The National Emergency Management Organization, in cooperation with the respective emergency management committees, and all public and private agencies, is established to preserve life and property in the event of an emergency, threatened or real, and to mitigate the impact on the country and its people.

ROLES AND FUNCTIONS

7. The roles and functions of the National Emergency Management Organization are laid down in the Disaster Preparedness and Response Act, Chapter 145 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000. NEMO is the agency mandated by law for “…the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to, recovery from emergencies and disasters in Belize”. NEMO functions at three levels (National, District and Village), and operates from a standardized format of written hazard plans and standard operating procedures. At Annex A is the Organizational Structure of NEMO.

8. The NEMO Secretariat is the operational arm of NEMO and is staffed by sixteen officers including the eight (8) District Coordinators and a Warehouse Manager. In addition, there are two Warehouse Guards and a “Part-Time” Coordinator who are not yet on staff. At Annex B is the Organizational Chart for the NEMO Secretariat.

9. The NEMO Secretariat has two roles: Crisis and Non Crisis. When an emergency is anticipated it provides the nucleus for the National Emergency Operations Centre in Belmopan and an Operations Officer for each of the nine District/Special Emergency Operations Centers countrywide. During non-crisis periods the Secretariat is responsible for training, organizing, coordinating and motivating all stakeholders and operators from all sectors. It is also responsible for soliciting assistance from local, regional and international organizations for the advancement of emergency management in Belize.

INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING

10. A number of consultancies have been completed or near completion over the last year. The three Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Consultancies are part of the “Intuitional Strengthening of NEMO” that was approved in 1999 as a part of the US $33 million Loan Agreement between the CDB, IDB and the Government of Belize. The CHAMP Consultancy was sponsored by CDERA through the CDB and CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). The Mitch + 5 Consultancy were sponsored by the UNDP for CEPREDENAC (the Central American Disaster Prevention Agency). The present status of the consultancies are as follows:

a. Disaster Specialist. The National Disaster Plans and Standard Operating Procedures are now completed along with policy documents for Relief Supply Management, etc. (see Annex F). The plans and procedures are lodged with the NEMO Secretariat who has programmed a “Table Top Exercise” for May 2004 to test them prior to submission to Cabinet for their approval and support. The Disaster Specialist, Dr. Barbara Carby, completed her twelve months assignment in August 2003 and submitted her final documents in February 2004.

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b. Telecommunication. The Telecommunications Consultancy is now virtually

completed with the study, manual and draft plan which has been accepted. The final Telecommunications Plan is awaited at this time.

c. Hazard Mitigation. The final draft of the Hazard Mitigation policy document has been completed after a national consultation and much tweaking. The Policy Development Committee and regulatory agencies will have a final review of the Policy document prior to its submission to Cabinet. The next step is the drafting of the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Belize which should commence in May 2004.

d. Oversight Consultant. An Oversight Consultant was contracted by IDB to oversee

all the IDB consultancies in order to ensure that the consultancies were in accordance with ‘best practice’ and confirm with regional and international standards.

e. Mitch + 5. The Mitch + 5 study was completed by the consultant and submitted to CEPREDENAC in November 2003. The study, which was funded by UNDP, highlighted all the enhancements and improvements in disaster management throughout the Central American region with special emphasis on the countries that were affected by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 discussing their advancements over the last five (5) years. It also made recommendations and stressed positive case studies throughout the region.

f. Geospatial Database. A Geospatial Consultancy has been contracted out through a collaboration between CDERA and CDB and will cover selected Caribbean countries; including Belize and in accordance with our Hazard Mitigation Planning Consultancy. The consultant, which conducted her first two workshops in March and April 2004, will provide a needs assessment report and a data collection strategy in order to develop a common digital database for use in Hazard Mapping and Vulnerability Assessment.

11. In support of the recommendations from various consultants, the GOB has responded positively by recruiting additional staff and provided adequate funding for the operations of the Secretariat and the training of staff and emergency operators countrywide.

INFRASTRUCTURAL ENHANCEMENTS

12. There are a number of infrastructural enhancements that are notable of mention during the period under review, however, the four areas that will be covered are:

a. The NEMO Headquarters. The NEMO Headquarters was occupied on October 6, 2003 after about nine months of delay. This delay may be attributed to a number of factors that includes “change orders” and concerns about the roof. The building is currently under a one year warranty by the contractor and has certified it to an “acceptable standard” by the Chief Engineer in the Ministry of Works who is also the Project Engineer. In addition to the mahogany doors that have all shrunk and need to be sealed, there are five areas that need to be finalized:

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(1) The servicing and maintenance contract for the central air condition system. The central air condition system was installed by a sub-contractor who was replaced by “Bowman Electrical Engineering firm” a few months


prior to the handing over of the building in October 2003. The system is under warranty for one year however, the preventive maintenance schedule has not implemented since the servicing contract is outstanding. The project office has been requested repeatedly to identify a suitable firm and inform the NEMO Secretariat on the government’s responsibility for payment etc.

(2) The servicing and maintenance contract for the stand by generator. The stand by generator was procured and installed by the said Bowman firm. Again, no maintenance contract has been initiated after five months of use. The project office has been requested for guidance as per the air condition system above. The plans, manuals etc. for both systems have not yet been handed over to the NEMO Secretariat.

(3) A glass partition for closing off the Kitchen and Dining areas. On November 2000 when the floor plans for the NEMO Headquarters were accepted by the NEMO Secretariat, it was approved with the addition of a glass partition and door to seal off the kitchen and dining room areas in order to contain the smell of food from the remainder of the building. This has not yet been installed and is needed.

(4) A shutter for closing off the office area after working hours. A transparent glass shutter to close off the upstairs offices was also added on to the floor plans in 2000 but has not yet materialized. This is also needed to ensure that office equipment etc. can be secured after working hours whilst the Training and operational areas of the building are being utilized.

(5) The installation of the name on the tower and front entrance of the building. It was agreed that the name of the building (NEMO Headquarters) would be placed on two sides of the water tower and at the front entrance. This is still outstanding at this time. The project Office has been informed and has scheduled a meeting for April 14, 2004 in order to finalize all outstanding arrangements with the contractor.

b. District (Regional) Hurricane Shelters. Three Regional Shelters in the University of Belize Complex and one in the Belmopan Comprehensive High School compound were completed during 2003 for the Cayo District (The Cayo District is the main “catchment’s area for evacuees from the low lying areas and the off shore cayes.). An auditorium is currently being tendered out to be constructed in the Belmopan Comprehensive High School compound for later in 2004. District shelters are under construction in the following areas and are scheduled for completion by December 2004:

(1) Corozal District. An eight-room two-storey classroom building is under construction as part of the Escuela Mexico High School complex.

(2) Orange Walk District. A multi-purpose gymnasium is under construction as part of the Orange Walk Technical College complex.

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(3) Stann Creek District An eight-room two-storey classroom building is

under construction as part of the “ANRI” (Agriculture and Natural Resource Institute), formally Lynam College.

(4) Toledo District. The construction of an eight-room two-storey classroom building is expected to commence by the end of May 2004. This will form part of the University of Belize, Toledo Campus.

c. The Retrofitting Project. This project is presently winding down after the retrofitting of one hundred and sixty two (162) hurricane shelters countrywide. A further eight is nearing completion in southern Belize and there are six shelters still outstanding in the Cayo district. This will make a total of one hundred and seventy six (176) shelters completed out of a possible two hundred (200). The shortfall resulted from a lack of finances due to increased cost of repairs. Three hundred and fifty shelters were inspected in 1999 of which two hundred and fifty were identified for retrofitting. The deterioration of the structures over the past four years, compounded by inflation reduced this number to two hundred.

d. The NEMO Warehouse. The NEMO warehouse is located in Ladyville Village in the Belize District. It was first used in 2000 in the aftermath of Hurricane Keith that devastated San Pedro Ambergris and northern Belize. The NEMO warehouse was completely retrofitted at a cost of over US $200,000.00 and was handed over on Saturday 22 November 2003 by the United States Ambassador to Belize, Mr. Russell Freeman. The funds for the refurbishment were provided by US SOUTHCOM through the US Embassy in Belize. The works were done by a local contractor and supervised by Mr. Wayne McDuffie from the US Embassy.

KIT AND EQUIPMENT

13. The NEMO Secretariat received most of the furniture, kit and equipment for the new building; however, there are some problems that are being rectified and equipment still outstanding. Most of the office, operational, training, conference and dining room furniture were produced locally from mahogany. Items such as Executive Chairs, Metal Lockers etc. were imported. The current state is as follows:

a. Furniture. All the local furniture have been purchased and installed, however, the two conference tables have started to crack due to shrinkage. One has already been repaired and the other is still outstanding. The imported furniture, which includes Executive Chairs and Filing Cabinet have not yet arrived. They should be installed by April 30. 2004.

b. The Commercial Stove and Freezers. All the kitchen and dining room equipment and furniture have been received. The Commercial Stove and Tank have recently been received and awaiting installation. This should be installed by April 30. 2004.

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c. The Audio Visual. The Audio Visual system has been contracted out and should arrive and installed by the end of April/early May 2004. It is hoped that installation will be completed by mid May 2004 in order to coincide with the third Annual NEMO Regional Disaster Management Conference. This conference is


sponsored by the US SOUTHCOM and will take place in the NEMO Training Room during the last week in May 2004.

d. Telecommunication Equipment. The Telecommunications Consultancy is completed and has been accepted. The contracts have been signed and works have commenced in the construction of towers on Baldy Beacon hill (Mountain Pine Ridge, Cayo District) and in Belmopan inside the NEMO Headquarters compound. The radios and other equipment have been ordered and should arrive in May 2004. More on this topic will be discussed in a later paragraph.

e. Vehicle Fleet. The NEMO Secretariat has a fleet of three vehicles (not including the one privately owned and used by the NEC). These vehicles are used for Training and Operations countrywide and for Administrative purposes in and around Belmopan. The 1998 Jeep Cherokee which has been with the Secretariat for over five years undertook major repairs during the first quarter of 2003 and is now in good operating condition. The 2000 Isuzu Crew cab Pickup was serviced and fitted with new tires during the period under review. The third vehicle is the Search and Rescue (SAR) 2004 Toyota Crew cab pickup which is still not yet fully kitted out for SAR operations. This vehicle should be operational by June 1, 2004.

14. The NEMO Secretariat is fully operational even though all their kit and equipment are not yet installed. There are contingency plans in place for responding to incidents during this period whilst kit and equipment are in transit. It is anticipated that all the kit and equipment will be installed prior to June 1, 2004 for the opening of the Hurricane Season.

PUBLIC EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS

15. THE NEMO SECRETARIAT. The NEMO Secretariat, through the NEMO Training Officer (Major Gilbert Swaso), the Assistant Training Officer and the eight District/Special Coordinators, have been very active in educating and informing the public and stakeholders in the art and skill of disaster management. Members of the NEMO Secretariat have taken part on radio and television programmes in order to update the public on our emergency preparedness activities. During the first half of the period under review, the Disaster Specialist was in Belize and conducted six national and district workshops. Some of the activities that need noting are as follows:

a. The Hurricane Preparedness Leaflet. The annual preparedness leaflets/flyers with the Hurricane Tracking Chart as its centerfold were distributed countrywide on June 1 and September 1, 2003 respectively. Over ten thousand of these flyers were printed by Print Belize Limited. The leaflets are inserted in the two newspapers with the widest circulation in Belize and also distributed by the eight District Coordinators. It can be viewed on the NEMO Web Site: www.nemo.org.bz. These leaflets give general information to the public on what to do during a hurricane or flood including the names of hurricanes and the approved list of Hurricane Shelters countrywide.

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b. EOC Workshops. A number of Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Workshops were conducted during the year under review. During the first quarter, the Disaster Specialist (Dr. Barbara Carby) and the NEMO Secretariat conducted

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EOC training at the National level in Belmopan for operators in the NEOC. EOC training for the nine District Emergency Committees were also conducted by Dr. Carby and the NEMO Training Team in four regional areas (Orange Walk, Independence, Belmopan and Belize City). The aim of the aforementioned workshops was to agree on a standardized format for the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for EOCs at the National and District levels. The Training Officer, supported by the District Coordinators conducted a one day workshop in each of the nine District/Special Emergency Committee areas. This was followed, in the second quarter, by a “Table Top” Exercise in each of the nine locations by the NEMO Training Officer. The District Coordinators conducted Village EOC training for select villages in their areas of responsibility.

c. Shelter Management. During the first quarter, Shelter Management Training was conducted by the NEMO Training Officer in each of the nine District/Special Emergency Committee areas, primarily for Teachers who are employed in buildings that were selected as Hurricane Shelters. Shelter Management Training was also conducted by the District Coordinators within their respective districts. The NEMO Training Officer also conducted special training for the BDF who are assigned by Cabinet as Shelter Managers countrywide. The BDF now has its own Training Officer in the person of Major Shelton Defour and is capable of undertaking its own Shelter Management training.

d. Visits to schools and businesses. One of the projects that were expanded in 2003 was the visits to schools, businesses and other institutions with interests in emergency management. Some of the activities that were carried out were:

(1) Presentation by the NEMO Secretariat to the Rotary Club of Belize, The Wesley Methodist Men’s Fellowship, the Mayors Association, the University of Belize (management and staff), the Peace Corps, and the Annual Red Cross Conference in Dangriga.

(2) The District Coordinators conducted numerous visits to schools within their area of responsibility. This commenced on June 1 annually during the “Emergency Awareness Week” and continues throughout the hurricane season. District Coordinators also met with stakeholders in the districts in order to sensitize and update them on disaster management in general and the activities of NEMO in particular.

(3) The ten National Operational Committees (Chaired by CEOs or Head of Departments) met with stakeholders countrywide to negotiate MOUs and to agree on fees, quantity etc. The Transport, Food, Evacuation and Utilities Committees were instrumental in this venture.

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e. Training of Public Officers. Public Officers are the nuts and bolts of NEMO’s execution plan. Therefore, training was conducted for them at the National, District and Village levels. At the National level, the Disaster Specialist met on numerous occasions with the ten Ministry Liaison Officers from the Operational Committees of NEMO in order to update and standardize their Operational Plans.


The NEMO Secretariat made presentations to new inductees during their induction training in Belmopan and Belize City.

f. Training of BDF. The BDF support NEMO in nearly every operational committee with a representative as their liaison officer. However, they are specifically responsible for: Search and Rescue, Communications, and Shelter Management at the National and District levels. Training for BDF in disaster management is done locally by the BDF (Maj. Defour a former NEMO Training Officer who has returned to the BDF); they are also invited to all NEMO training activities and special Shelter Management training workshops. A workshop was conducted in October 2003 for all Volunteer Officers and NCOs.

g. The New School Curriculum. With funding from UNICEF and support from the Ministry of Education, a number of projects for school children are in progress. The Ministry of Education has included “Disaster Management” in its curriculum at the junior school and High school levels. The University of Belize has also included it in one of its Social Studies Programme. Games, workbook and posters are some of the projects that are presently being adopted from a regional programme funded by the UNICEF.

16. THE BELIZE RED CROSS SOCIETY. The Belize Red Cross Society is presently our foremost partner in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. They have been very aggressive in the development of the “culture of disaster management” in Belize which has helped to influence the government in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. Their assistance on the various committees during the planning process and operationally during the three hurricanes and two tropical storms over the past five and a half years is testament of their sterling performance. All of their disaster management programmes are done in support of and in accordance with NEMO’s strategic plan of action. Their involvement in NEMO during 2003 are as follows:

a. NEMO. The President of the Belize Red Cross Society sits on the national committee of NEMO and advises the Prime Minister, the chairman of NEMO.

b. Foreign Assistance Committee. They have a representative that sits on the Foreign Assistance Committee which meets monthly during the hurricane season. The Belize Red Cross Society has proven in the past that they are capable of soliciting, distributing and accounting for suppliers on behalf of NEMO.

c. Relief and Supplies Committee, The Red Cross has two representatives in the Housing and Shelter Committee. They were instrumental in the upgrading of the plans and guiding the committee to be one of the most responsive operational committees in NEMO.

d. Medical Committee. They are actively involved in the Medical and Relief Measures Committee and also provide First Aid coverage for a number of Hurricane Shelters countrywide.

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e. Housing and Shelter. The Belize Red Cross Society is a member of the National Housing and Shelter Committee. They provide wardens to work along with the


BDF in a number of selected shelters. Their District Headquarters in Belmopan and San Ignacio have also been assigned as Hurricane Shelters.

f. Information, Communications and Warning Committee. A representative also sits on this committee which has the responsibility for Public Education. The Red Cross contributes by circulating Disaster Preparedness Posters countrywide and publishing a Family Disaster Preparedness Manual for sale to the public for a nominal fee.

g. Preparedness Projects. Over the last four years, the Red Cross has been very active in rural Belize with “Community Disaster Preparedness” training. They have also adopted selected villages in all parts of the country to assist in the development of Village Disaster Management Plans and even Family Plans. These plans and procedures were developed using the present NEMO standardized format and in consultation with the NEMO Training Officer. For these ventures they have actively solicited funding from the UN Agencies, USAID and several other donors. The three main projects that are currently being conducted are:

(1) Community Disaster Preparedness. Along with the NEMO Training Officer and using the CDERA guidelines, they have developed a Community Disaster Preparedness training package that has been used successfully in villages in the northern, central and southern districts.

(2) Development of Family Plans. The development of Family Plans was foremost on the Red Cross agenda and they have completed workshops and distributed draft family plans to a number of families countrywide.

(3) Development of Village Plans. The Red Cross has assisted in the development of written Village plans in a number of villages including: San Roman, Douglas, San Pedrito, Hopkins and Silk Grass villages.

17. REGIONAL TRAINING. Regional Training Workshops and Exercises were conducted by a number of regional agencies during this period under review. The most noted are highlighted below:

a. CDERA. The CDERA Coordinating Unit has been very helpful in organizing meetings, workshops and seminars within the Caribbean and in Belize. Some of the most important of these that Belize participated in are as follows:

(1) CDERA Pre Board and Board Meeting in Montserrat, Management Training for National Disaster Coordinators in Barbados, Management Training for Deputy National Coordinators in Montserrat, Regional EOC & Early Warning Workshop in Barbados, etc.

(2) CDERA’S collaboration on Hazard Mitigation, Search & Rescue Early Warning and other institutional strengthening topics.

b.

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CEPREDNAC. Belize’s Prime Minister (Hon. Said Musa) held the Presidency of SICA, which is the Central American Integration System, for six months during the period under review. A concerted effort was made during this period to move Belize from “Observer Status” to that of a member. However, Belize has still not


moved to the next level and is still an observer. Nevertheless, Belize has taken part in a number of activities in Central America which was sponsored by CEPREDENAC. The Executive Secretary of CEPREDNAC visited Belize in September 2003 and again in November 2003 for the Inauguration of the NEMO Headquarters. Belize also participated in the Mitch + 5 which were held in Honduras during December 2003. The Training Officer attended an EOC management workshop in Guatemala City in December 2003.

c. Plan Pueblo Panama. A MOU has been drafted and submitted for signing by Ambassador Figueroa. Both the NEMO Secretariat and the Office of the Solicitor General have submitted their recommendations which have been incorporated in the final draft.

d. The Barbados Plan of Action. The Deputy NEC attended the meeting of the Barbados Plan of Action which was held in Belize City on July 25, 2003.

e. The Mexican Memorandum of Understanding. The Mexican Ambassador to

Belize submitted a draft MOU to the Ministry of Defence and National Emergency Management for their comments. This document was perused by the NEMO Secretariat and the Office of the Solicitor General and accepted with amendments. This was followed by a visit by the Mexican Defence Attaché to Belize who paid a courtesy call on the NEC and toured the new NEMO facility.

f. US SOUTHCOM. The US Military Liaison Office and the Embassy of the United States of America in Belize have been very instrumental in organizing a number of training, visits and exercises funded by US SOUTHCOM. Some of the activities completed are as follows:

(1) Annual NEMO Regional Disaster Conference in Belize on 2 – 6 June 2003 (participants from the Caribbean and Central American region attended).

(2) The Deputy and Training Officer from the NEMO Secretariat, along with two other Belizeans attended an International Workshop on Emergency Response (IWER) focusing on First Responders to Hazardous Materials and Collapse Structures in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA in April 2003.

(3) The Training Officer attended an Emergency Operations Centre Training in Guatemala City, Guatemala in December 2003.

(4) The NEC attended a Regional Disaster Conference at the Inter-American Defence College in Washington D. C. in December 2003.

(5) Seventeen Belizeans attended FAHUM 2004 in Panama City, Panama for 10 days in March 2004. FAHUM 2004 was a Command Post Exercise during which Caribbean, Central American, USA and other Regional/International organizations partook.

(6) A VIP visit to Louisiana State Emergency Operations Centre by the Chief Executive Officer, National Emergency Coordinator and four other officials in March 2004.

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18. INTERNATIONAL TRAINING. There were a number of offers for international training and workshops; however, none was accepted during the period under review. The European Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) sponsored an in country workshop for Damage Assessment in March 2004, but it was later postponed for June 2004.

THE NATIONAL AWARDS SCHEME

19. The Cabinet approved a National Awards Scheme for Emergency operators and supporters in September 2003. The Cabinet commissioned the award as “The George Price Emergency Management Award”. It was agreed that an annual awards presentation will be done during the last week in November to honour individuals and organizations for their outstanding support to emergency management in Belize. There are two types of awards in two categories: The Lifetime Award “Plaque” for individuals or Organizations and The Certificate of Appreciation for individuals or groups. The names and dates of the Awardees are posted on an Awards Board (Roll of Honour) in the NEMO Headquarters.

20. The first recipients for the George Price Emergency Management Award for 2003 were as follows:

a. Lifetime Award - Individual.

(1) Mrs. Audrey Courtenay – Former Executive Director of the Red Cross, Retired Matron and presently the Chairperson for the Red Cross Disaster Management Committee.

(2) Mr. Carlos Fuller – The Chief Meteorologist who has served in that post for over 14 years and sits on the National Information, Communications and Warning Committee.

b. Lifetime Award – Organization.

(1) The Belize Red Cross Society – The Belize Red Cross Society has been synonymous with disaster management in Belize for decades and has fostered a good partnership with the NEMO Secretariat over the last six years.

c. Certificate of Appreciation - Individual. The nine individuals who were selected for the Certificate of Appreciation are as follows:

(1) Mr. James Janmohammad - Presently the Operations Officer and has served during Hurricanes Mitch (1998), Keith 2000 and Iris 2001. He is a Businessman.

(2) Ms. Anita Zetina – A senior Public Officer who has recently been elevated to the Post of Chief Executive Officer. Over the last six years, three hurricanes and two tropical storms, she has been responsible for the SUMA system in Belize. She has designed and managed the Relief Supplies system, and, by virtue of her new post, is now the Chairperson of the National Relief Supplies Committee. She is also a core committee member of the Mitigation Committee.

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(3) Mr. Daniel Silva – A retired Minister of Government who chaired the Cayo District Committee for four years. He is currently the (Volunteer) chairperson for the Housing and Shelter Committee. He was responsible


for establishing a District Emergency Fund which received donations from several businesses.

(4) Mr. Oscar Reyes – A District Education Officer who was active in the southern district in the aftermath of Hurricane Iris. He is currently the Chairman of the Stann Creek District Information, Communication and Warning Committee.

(5) Ms. Patty Arceo – A retired politician who was Chairperson for the San Pedro Emergency Committee during Hurricanes Mitch, Keith and Iris when the islands of San Pedro Ambergris and Caye Caulker had to be evacuated. She is presently a community activist.

(6) Mr. Richard Merril – A prominent media personality who has supported NEMO effort during past crisis to transmit information countrywide via LOVE FM.

(7) Mr. Reynaldo Burgos – A retired Mayor of Orange Walk who has been at the forefront of Emergency management for the last six years in the Orange Walk District. He was instrumental in designing the evacuation plans for Douglas Village which is evacuated a number of times annually due to flooding.

(8) Mr. Maurice Rodgers – A Technical Officer in charge of the Ministry of Works in the Corozal District and chairs the Housing and Shelter Committee for the last five years.

(9) Mr. Bartholomew Yung – A business man who owns a saw-mill in Toledo District. He was instrumental in the reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Iris which devastated southern Belize in 2001.

d. Certificate of Appreciation - Organization. The Cabinet did not grant approval for any organization to be awarded the Certificate of Appreciation for 2003.

21. The George Price Emergency Management Award is just one way in which NEMO and the Government of Belize is able to show appreciation to the public and private sectors for their support to emergency management in Belize.

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMMES

22. The NEMO Secretariat was dynamic in forging a number of partnerships with local, regional and international organizations. This included the CHAMP project which was a tri-partite arrangement with CIDA, CDB and CDERA; the Partnership for Peace programme with the LAANG and US SOUTHCOM; the Schools Disaster Training with the Ministry of Education and UNICEF; Community Disaster Preparedness Training with USAID and the Belize Red Cross Society; and the British High Commission and the British Army Civil Affairs Group.

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CHAMP. The CHAMP Project is a Caribbean Mitigation Capacity Building Programme which is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), executed by the Organization of American States (OAS) and implemented by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA). Belize is one of four countries selected to “Pilot” the project that was launched in December 2002. The National Project Implementation Committee developed a


Draft Mitigation Policy by mid 2003 and conducted a national consultation in December 2003. The policy is now completed and will be submitted to Cabinet for approval. The next step will be the drafting of the National Mitigation Plan.

a. THE LOUISIANA ARMY & AIR FORCE NATIONAL GUARD (LAANG). The BDF and LAANG signed a partnership for peace programme in 1995 and have both benefited greatly from it. In 2002 LAANG provided two facilitators for the second NEMO Regional Disaster Management Conference in Belize City. This was followed by visits to Belize by the Adjutant General and representatives from the Emergency Management Office and Department of Homeland Security in November 2003 and January 2004. A reciprocal visit was made in March 2004 by the CEO, NEC and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Emergency Management. NEMO is now forging a new partnership with the LAANG, building on their successes since 1995 with the BDF.

b. US SOUTHCOM. The USMLO (LTC David Decker) has done a superb job in supporting NEMO’s work programme by organizing assistance from US SOUTHCOM. Belize have benefited from Humanitarian Assistance Programmes, FAHUM exercises, Disaster Training and visits to USA, Caribbean and Central America.

c. BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION. The British High Commissioner in Belize (H. E. Phillip Priestley) and his staff did a superb job in identifying funding for the Official Inauguration of the New NEMO Headquarters. They also funded a Regional EOC workshop in November 2003 (Caribbean/Central America).

d. RED CROSS. The present partnership with the Belize Red Cross continues to blossom as discussed in paragraph 16 above.

e. UNICEF. The partnership between UNICEF, the Ministry of Education and NEMO has benefited the school children throughout Belize. There are a number of projects already accepted and awaiting funding.

f. PAHO. The Pan American Health Organization has supported NEMO through their partnership with the Ministry of Health. They have assisted with the development of the Ministry of Health National Disaster Response Plan. PAHO have sponsored a number of “Health Related” workshops and most recently funded a Simulation Exercise in Belize City and the three other Regional Hospitals.

g. OFDA/USAID. During the period under review, the Belize Red Cross received funding from USAID to conduct Community Disaster Management Training in four rural areas. Some of the villages to benefit from this training are: San Pedrito, Hopkins, Douglas and San Roman. At the conclusion of the training villagers drafted their Village Emergency Management Plan.

13


OUTSTANDING PROJECTS

23. The NEMO Secretariat has achieved most of the goals set out for 2003. However, the expectations that after six months in the new NEMO Headquarters, the computer system, Audio Visual System and Telecommunication Equipment would have been procured and installed have not been realized. These and some of the other outstanding projects are discussed below:

a. Computer System. The new computer system has not yet been installed in the NEMO Headquarters. However, the equipment has been identified, the Consulting Firm has been contracted and the Tender documents have been lodged with the IDB. The supplier will shortly be selected and delivery should be completed by the end of May 2004.

b. Audio Visual Installation. The Audio Visual Equipment has been contracted out to a Guatemalan firm (Bears Com) who has also won the tender for supplying the Telecommunication Equipment. Both should be installed and functioning by mid may, 2004.

c. Telecommunications. Bears Com International is presently constructing the two Radio Towers and is scheduled to procure, install and test the telecommunication system prior to the next hurricane season which will commence on 1 June 2004.

d. Activation of Board of Directors. The Disaster Preparedness and Response Act establish an Advisory Board to oversee the activities of NEMO on an annual basis. However, this Board has not yet been activated. The NEMO Secretariat will endeavour to activate this board at the commencement of the 2004 Hurricane Season.

e. Membership to CEPREDENAC. The NEMO Secretariat will work with the Ambassador to Central America (H. E. Mr. Moises Cal) to accede to the government of Belize’s direction with regards to membership to CEPREDENAC.

f. The Volunteer Corps. The NEMO Secretariat intends to develop a volunteer corps in each district/special committee location. A model corps will be developed in one village in each of the nine NEMO locations by the NEMO District Coordinators by September 2004. This will them form the nucleus of the NEMO Volunteer Corps.

FINANCIAL BUDGET

24. The Financial Budget for FY 2003/2004 was $455,983.00 Recurrent and $40,000.00 Capital II. However, this was supplemented by six workshops that was funded by the IDB and facilitated by the Disaster Specialist; three workshops funded by CDERA through the CHAMP Project; two workshops funded by US SOUTHCOM; one Regional Workshop funded by the British High Commission; and the purchase of one Search and Rescue Vehicle, a Lap Top Computer and a Satellite Phone through the CDERA’S LSAR project.

14

a. RECURRENT. The Government of Belize honoured its manifesto promise to Public Officers by granting the first of three pay increases. All junior officers received 8% whilst senior officers received 5% increases. The recurrent budget


remained the same with the exception of Personal Emoluments for the approved vacancies that were filled.

b. CAPITAL II. The Capital Budget, which was for Training and Exercises countrywide, was reduced by $20,000.00 (from $60k to $40k).

CHALLENGES

25. The NEMO Secretariat will have to address a number of challenges in the future. With the ownership of a new headquarters, kit, equipment and additional staff along with an active work programme, there will be a need for additional budget. The three vehicles along with busy schedule have already dictated the need for a full time driver/messenger. With the fusing of ministries after the realignment in February 2004, the NEMO Secretariat has lost the dedicated use of their Administrative Officer who is now employed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Emergency Management as their Administrative Officer.

a. Reduced Training Budget. The Training budget for FY 2004/2005 has again being reduced to only $13,200,00 which is less than a quarter of the required sum. Many of the other sub heads were also reduced from last year’s budget. The challenge here is to solicit funding from our partners locally, regionally and internationally in order to realize NEMO’s Work Programme for 2004/2005.

b. Driver. A driver was requested for this financial year but was not approved. The NEMO Secretariat is looking at the possibility of receiving a form of short term support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Emergency Management.

c. Admin Officer. The loss of the Administrative and Programme Officer has been hard on the NEMO Secretariat. Even though she is working for the ministry, the secretariat needs the Admin Officer within, on a daily basis to perform the duties specified. It is hoped that an officer will be assigned shortly. The duties are presently shared between a number of officers including the Executive Secretary, Training Officer and Deputy.

FUTURE PROJECTS

26. The NEMO Secretariat has designed a work programme for 2004/2005 along with a forecast of events. It has also drafted a Strategic five year plan for the NEMO Secretariat.

a. NEMO’s Work Programme. Attached at Annex C is the Work Programme for 2004/2005 which is self-explanatory.

b. NEMO’s Forecast of Events. Attached at Annex D is the Forecast of Events for the NEMO Secretariat for the period of January 2004 to December 2005.

c. NEMO’s Five-Year Plan. The NEMO five-year Plan is attached at Annex E.

RECOMMENDATIONS

27. In order for the NEMO Secretariat to fulfill its work programme at Annex C it will have to identify alternative funding for training and conducting exercises during 2004. It will also need to acquire additional staff and resources to compliment those provided by government. The recommendations, therefore, are as follows:

15


a. Identify funding for the Training Plan. The NEMO Secretariat will need to solicit

assistance for Medical and Public Health activities from PAHO; Community Disaster related Activities from OFDA/USAID (supported by the Red Cross); Exercises from IDB, CDB, CDERA, US SOUTHCOM and British High Commission. Assistance will be sought locally from Businesses, NGOs and other Private Organizations.

b. Acquire a Driver, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Emergency Management will be requested to provide a Driver on loan for the NEMO Secretariat whenever necessary. Attempts will be made to train current staff to acquire a valid driver’s license.

c. Acquire an Administrative Officer or Administrative Assistance. The post of Administrative Officer needs to be filled. However the posting of an Administrative Assistant in lieu of the Administrative Officer would be an initial step towards resolving the requirement for a person to do the Administration and Programmes in the NEMO Secretariat.

CONCLUSIONS

28. In conclusion, NEMO has continued its planned progression over the last year. The Institutional Strengthening portion of the Hurricane Rehabilitation and Preparedness Project along with the Retrofitting of Shelters has now been completed. The construction of District Shelters will be completed shortly. Continuous training of staff and Emergency operators will continue along with the development of written hazard plans at the National, district and village levels. The establishment of a Volunteer Corps will provide additional support for our emergency operators countrywide as we continue to work with the BDF, Police and Public Officers. More emphasis will be placed on training the trainer workshops and Table Top exercises in order to multiply our efforts and continually test the present system.

29. As we consolidate in the new NEMO Headquarters and is fully kitted out with new equipment, furniture, plans and SOPs, we continue to embrace the Comprehensive Disaster Management principles that is advocated by CDERA. While our main concerns continue to be hurricane preparedness, we will aggressively follow the CDM principles and improve our capacity to manage other hazards.

30. The strength of NEMO will continue to be the cohesion of the emergency operators at the three levels of operation (National, District and Village). The achievement of the mission, “…preserving life and property…” will continue to be our main focus.

PREPARED BY:

THE NEMO SECRETARIAT NEMO HEADQUARTERS BELMOPAN, BELIZE, C. A. 15 April 2004

16


ANNEXES:

A. THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF NEMO B. THE NEMO SECRETARIAT C. NEMO WORK PROGRAM FOR 2004 – 2005 D. NEMO SECRETARIAT’S FORCAST OF EVENTS FOR 2004 E. NEMO FIVE-YEAR WORK PLAN FOR 2004 - 2009 F. LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANS/GUIDELINES

17


ANNEX A THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF NEMO

18

Prime Minister

Cabinet

NEMO Secretariat

NEICWC NMCPHC NHSC NSAREC NRUAC NRSMC

NDANAC NFAC NTRANSPORTC

NMEC NHRMC

9 X District Emergency Committees &

DEICW Sub Committee

DMCPHSubCommittee

DHSSub Committee

DSARESub Committee

DRUACSub Committee

DRSM Sub Committee

DDANA Sub Committee

DFA Sub Committee

DTRANSPORT Sub Committee

DMESub Committee

DHRMSub Committee

DR Sub Committee

Cabinet Secretary

National Level

District Level

Executive Level

Village Level Village Emergency Committees

Shelter Committee

Information Communication& Warning Committee

Damage Assessment Committee

Food Committee

Transport Committee

NRC

Medical Committee

SAR & EvacuationCommittee

Ms. Greta Mossiah Executive Secretary

Ms. Delvorine AugusOffice Assistant

TH

Mr. James JanmohaSan Pedro/Caye Ca

Mr.Stann

Ms. Elsa VasquezCayo District

Mr. Santiago Acosta SDeputy Trg Offr

Maj. Gilbert SwasoTraining Officer

MDet

GN

E NEMO

mmad ulker

John SuazoCreek Distr

DISTR

r.

P

19

r. George Haputy Coordi

en. Earl Arational Emer

Coordinat

SECRETAR

ict

Mr. AmBelmopan/C

Mrs. EleanoBelize D

ICT COOR

Ms. Dona Mrog. Mgr/A

“DISASTER MANA

nsonnator

thurs gency or

IAT

Mr. SydneyWarehouse

elio Cal ayo South

r Alvarezistrict

Mrs. NOrange

DINATO

as dmin

GEMENT * PRESERV

MrCo

Noralez Guard

Ms. TimTol

etty JohnsonWalk Distric

Mr.Wa

LeanAccou

RS

Mr. BWare

ING LIFE AND PROPERTY”

. Joseito Lopezrozal District

As of April, 2004

rose Augustine edo District

t

Leopold Waderehouse Guard

dro Quichan nts Clerk

rian Flowershouse Mgr

ANNEX B


ANNEX C NEMO’S WORK PROGRAMME - 2004-2005

20

Ser. Programme Area

Activities Strategies to be used Indicators of Success

Time Frame Budget/ Resources

1.

Institutional Strengthening

Review/Develop District Hazard Plans and SOPs

Consultation with Chairpersons for the District & Operational Committees

District Disaster Plans completed

February to June 2004

Government of Belize

2.


Review final Draft for National Emergency Communication Plan

Consultant/NEMO Secretariat conduct Consultation with Stakeholders

Review completed

2nd. Quarter 2004

IDB Loan Agreement

3.


Review and Practice Emergency Communications Plan

National and District Training and Exercises

Emergency Communications Plan Tested

2nd Quarter 2004

IDB Loan Agreement Government of Belize

4.


Develop Mitigation Plan

Consultant, Mitigation Committee, Group consultation

National Mitigation Plan completed

4th Quarter 2004 to 2005

CHAMP/CDB/ CDERA

5.

Preparedness

Increase Damage Assessment capacity

Training of National and District Committees

Ten teams trained countrywide

1st Quarter to 3rd Quarter 2004

ECLAC and Government of Belize

6.

Preparedness

Improve EOC Management at the National Level

Review SOPs and Train EOC Staff at the National Level.

Tabletop Ex. completed

2nd Quarter 2004


7.

Preparedness

Improve Command and Control

Training Officer Workshop/Tabletop Exercise for Liaison Officers

Train 50 Liaison Officers at National Level

2nd Quarter 2004


8.

Preparedness

Increase Shelter Management Capacity

District Coordinators workshops for public officers and volunteers

600 more trained Shelter Managers

3rd Quarter 2004


9.

Preparedness

Improve Operational Capacity

Training Officer workshops for Emergency Operations Centre operators

30 trained EOC Operators

4th Quarter 2004


10.

Preparedness

Improve Logistic Capacity

Training Officer Warehouse Management workshops

35 Warehouse Managers trained in all 9 District/Special Committees

3rd Quarter 2004


11.


Develop Recovery Policy and Plans

Recovery Committee

National Recovery Plans Completed

By 4th Quarter 2004


12


Develop Command and Control Policy at the Incident Scene

LANG Training for SARE Committee

Policy Completed

By 4th Quarter 2004

LANG and US Govt.

13.


Third Annual NEMO Regional Disaster Management Conference

LANG/NEMO Training Officer Incident Command Workshop

35 Participants from 21 countries trained in Incident Command

May 24 to 28, 2004

US SOUTHCOM Government of Belize

14.


National Disaster Audit

British Civil Affairs Group supported by BDF

All NEMO Committees audited at the National & District levels

October 2004 (3 weeks)

British Civil Affairs Group Government of Belize

16.


Construction of a NEMO Warehouse in Belmopan

USMLO/National Guards Engineer Teams supported by BDF

Warehouse completed

September/ October 2004


17.

Preparedness

Establish a Volunteer Corps unit in each District location

NEMO Training Officer/District Coordinators

At least one model unit established in a village in each district

By 4th Quarter 2004


18.

Preparedness

BDF Shelter Management Workshop

NEMO Training Officer

Train 35 BDF Instructors

June 2004

BDF (GOB)

19.

Preparedness

Community Disaster Preparedness Training

Red Cross, NEMO Secretariat

200 villages complete written Hazard Plans

By 4th Quarter 2004

USAID, OFDA, GOB

20.

Preparedness

Computer Training

Consultant

25 operators trained at Basic, Intermediate & Advance levels

Between June and September 2004

IDB/CDB/GOB Loan Agreement

21



ANNEX D

NEMO SECRETARIAT’S FORECAST OF EVENTS FOR 2004

5 January 2004 (updated 23 March 2004)

22

DATE

EVENTS

ACTION

REMARKS

January 13 – 16

LANG Visit, Planning Conference for Third Annual NEMO Conference

Training Officer

Programme of Events Fwd to USMLO by 15 Dec 03

12 – 28

National Hazard & Mitigation Project (NHMP) Public Consultation on Policy document

Deputy Coordinator

All Districts to include Belmopan & San Pedro Ambergris

28

NEMO Planning Conference

Training Officer

All District Coordinators to attend

February 5 – 6

Disaster Preparedness Workshop

Training Officer

Police Academy (2-3 PM)

11

Meeting with Ministry Liaison Officers

Deputy/Training Officer

District Coordinators to attend

24

EOC Workshop


National Committees L. Os

28 Feb – 9

Mar

Main Reconnaissance for National Simulation Conference

NEC/Training Officer

TBC by Civil Affairs Group UK.

March 2 – 4

Introduction to Hazard Mitigation Planning

Deputy

CDERA (Eleanor Jones and Pieter De Jong)

29

Hazard Mapping and Vulnerability Prioritization Workshop

Deputy

CDERA (Dr. David Smith)

11

Emergency Operations Center Workshop


Liaison Officers National Operations Committees

16 – 27

FAHUM

Training/Admin Officer

23 – 26

FAHUM, Distinguished Visitors Programme

Admin Officer

NEC/CBDF to attend

24

CDREA Hazard Data Collection

CDREA Consultant

Deputy/ Head, Lands Information Centre (LIC) assisting

April 6

Coordinating Conference

National Emergency Coordinator

District Coordinators/ Warehouse Manager to attend


23

7

Tele - conference


USMLO’S Office

TBC

NEC Visit CONRED Headquarters, Guatemala

Admin Officer

TBC

Emergency Communication Workshop and Table Top Exercise

Training Officer

Liaise with Tele-Communications Consultant

16

Revision of Final Draft of NHMP

Deputy & Core Project Development Committee

Final Revision of NHMP prior to submission

19-22

Geo-spatial Training, Trinidad

Deputy/Head, LIC

Two Belizean sent to Trinidad for training

21

Emergency Operations Center Table top Exercise

Training Officer

Liaison Officers, National Operations Committees

22

NEC and Team visit Toledo Emergency Committee

NEC, Deputy and Training Officer

Deputy coordinates with members. District Coordinators to organize

23

NEC and Team visit Stann Creek Emergency Committee


District Coordinators to organize

27 – 28

Damage Assessment Workshop

ECLAC/ Training Officer

National Committee representatives to attend

May 1

Inspection and Certification of Shelters completed.

Operations Officer/LOHSC

List of all shelters submitted to the Secretariat for approval

2 – 8

Regional Humanitarian Assistance & Natural Disaster Workshop

Admin Officer/Training Officer

Miami, Florida – Training Officer to attend

2 – 8

Collapse Structure Rescue Workshop

Training Officer/Admin Officer

District Coordinator Cayo and BDF Officer to attend

3

NEMO Secretariat’s Monthly Conference

Deputy

District Coordinators and Warehouse Manager to attend

4 –7

Oil Spill Rapid Ecological Assessment Workshop & Stakeholders visit

Deputy/ Department of the Environment

Stakeholders Training on 5 May

5-7

CIDA Consultant Visit

Deputy/Core PDC

Interview of PDC on CHAMP progress in Belize

7

Complete Revision of Hazard Plans

District Coordinators

Using New Template

7

Hazard Mapping Training Report

Consultant/ Deputy

Development of Training Report


24

11 NEC and Team visit Corozal and Orange Walk Emergency Committees


Deputy coordinates with members. District Coordinators to organize

12

NEC and Team visit Belize City and Belize District Emergency Committees


District Coordinators to organize

13

NEC and Team visit Belmopan and San Ignacio Emergency Committee


District Coordinator to organize

15 – 16

NEMO Static Display at the National Agricultural and Trade Show

Assistant Training Officer/Belmopan Coordinator

Concept to be submitted for approval by April 15

17 – 21

CDERA Board Meeting

NEC/Executive Secretary

NEC to attend

19

Inaugural Meeting of the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee

NEC/Deputy

Formation of Hazard Plan Committee

24 - 28

Third Annual NEMO Conference - Incident Scene Command Management


Liaison with USMLO 21 Regional Participants

24 – 29

Caribbean and Central America Flood & storm Damage Reduction Seminar

Participant TBC

Liaison with USMLO Vicksburg, Mississippi

30 May – 5 June

National Emergency Awareness Week

Deputy, Training. Officer, District Coordinators

Sensitization of Disasters to coincide with the Opening of the 2004 Hurricane Season

June 1 – 2

Damage Assessment Training Workshop

ECLAC/ Training Officer

National Committee representatives to attend

2

Launching of the Hurricane Preparedness Leaflet

Training Officer/ Government Press Office

10,000 copies to be printed by 15th May

8 – 9

Train the Trainer Workshop

Training Officer

All District Coordinators

21

Finalization of Digital Database for Hazard Maps

Deputy/LIC/Consultant

Finalize Digital data Base for Hazard Mapping

25

CDERA Council Meeting

NEC/CEO

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Defence & National Emergency Management

TBC

Planning Conference, Louisiana


Liaison with USMLO


July 19

Production of Final Country Report (Hazard Map Production for Belize City, San Pedro and Caye Caulker

Consultant/ Deputy/LIC

Liaison with CDERA Consultant

TBC

Warehouse Management Workshop

Warehouse Manager/Training Officer

35 Participants from the 9 District Committees (including the 8 District Coordinators)

August 5

Inspection and Certification completed, List of Certified Shelters Submitted

Housing & Shelter Committee, District Coordinator

Updated Shelter List to be published

30 – 03 Sept

State Partnership Programme Planning Conference

NEC, Deputy & Training Officer

Venue to be confirmed

31

Submission - Proposals/Projects for 2005 Budget

All

Construction of NEMO Warehouse in Belmopan

NEC/USMLO

To be funded by the US SOUTHCOM Humanitarian Assistance Programme

10 – 21

National Celebrations

10th St. George’s Caye Day, 21st Independence Day

23 – 30

Community Disaster Preparedness

District Coordinators

Partnership with Belize Red Cross Society

October 16 Oct – 13 Nov

National Preparedness Audit Exercise

Training Officer

Supported by British Civil Affairs Group and BHC

November TBC

Ceremony for Annual George Price Emergency Management Award

NEC/Deputy/Training Officer

Cabinet Secretary to assist with nominations to Cabinet

30

Official end of Hurricane season

All

December TBC

Regional Planning Conference


Louisiana, supported by USMLO/ US SOUTHCOM

TBC

NEMO Secretariat Christmas Party

All

15 Dec. 2004-15 Jan. 2005

Xmas Break

ALL

District Coordinators Meet on the first Tuesday of every month in Belmopan unless otherwise directed. Meetings will include sessions to enhance Coordinators capacity.

25


ANNEX E NEMO FIVE-YEAR WORK PLAN, 2004-2008

26

Ser

Programme Area

Activities

Strategies to be used

Indicators of

Success

Time Frame

Budget/

Resources 1.


Review/Develop Contingency Plans and SOPs

Training Officer, District Coordinators Group Consultation

Districts / Special Committees Disaster Plan completed

February – May 2004

GOB

2.


Assess/Practice Communications Plan

Consultant/Training Officer and District Committees

Emergency Communications Plan Tested

May – July 2004

IDB & GOB Loan Agreement

3.


EOC Equipment installed in Building

Contractor Consultant

Equipment installed and Tested

May – July 2004

CDB, IDB & GOB Loan Agreement

4.


Develop Mitigation Plan

CHAMP Group consultation and Cabinet’s Approval

National Mitigation Plan completed

4th Quarter 2004 to 2007

CDERA/CIDA & GOB

5.

Preparedness

Increase Shelter capacity

Contractor Construction of 4 Regional Shelters

Construction completed

2nd Quarter 2004 to 2nd Quarter 2005

CDB, IDB & GOB Loan Agreement

6.


Construction of a Warehouse in Belmopan

USMLO/National Guards Engineer Teams supported by BDF

Warehouse completed in Belmopan

September/ October 2004


7.

Preparedness

Improve Command and Control

District Coordinators Train Councilors for 200 Villages

Train at least 3 Councilors in each village

2nd Quarter 2004 to 1st Quarter 2005

GOB

8.

Preparedness

Increase Shelter Management Capacity

Training Officer workshops for BDF Soldiers and Police

70 Shelter Managers trained for BDF/BPD

1st. Quarter 2004 to 1st Quarter 200


9.

Preparedness

Improve Operational Capacity

Training Officer workshops for Emergency Operations Centre operators

Train all Liaison Officer/ Support Staff and relief personnel for NEOC Operators

2nd. Quarter 2004


10.

Preparedness

Improve Operational

Training FAHUM

Liaison Officer train at every

2004 to 2008

US SOUTHCOM


Operational

Capacity

train at every level

2008 SOUTHCOM

11.

Preparedness

Improve Logistic Capacity

Training Officer Warehouse Management workshops

60 Warehouse Managers trained in all 9 District/Special Committees

3rd Quarter 2005


12.

Preparedness

Improve Damage Assessment Capacity

Training Officer DANA Workshops

9 District/Special Committee Teams Trained

By 3rd Quarter 2005


13.

Preparedness

Review/Develop Incident Command Scene Management

State Partnership Programme Workshop

Trained BDF, BPD, BERT, Port Authority, Fire Service and NEMO Staff

2nd Quarter 2004

US SOUTHCOM

14.

Mitigation

Review/Strengthen Building Codes

Training of Engineers Trades men

Contractor to ensure compliance of the Codes.

2004 to 2008

GOB

15.

Mitigation

Develop Risk Reduction Plans

Sensitize population Via Media and school programmes.

Risk Reduction Curriculum in schools

2004 to2008

GOB

16.

Preparedness

Family and Community Disaster Planning

District Coordinators support by Red Cross

95 % of villages completes plans

2004 to 2008

GOB USAID

17.

Mitigation

Develop Hazard Maps

CHAMP Group Consultation

Complete Hazard Mapping

2004 to 2006

GOB and CDB

18.

Preparedness

Construct Southern Regional Warehouse

USMLO/CBDF NEMO Operations Officer

Warehouse completed in Stann Creek District

2005 -2006

US SOUTHCOM GOB

19.

Preparedness

Construct Northern Regional Warehouse

USMLO/CBDF NEMO Operations Officer with Engineer Teams

Warehouse completed in Orange Walk District

2006 -2007

US SOUTHCOM GOB

20.


Develop Recovery Policy and Plans

Deputy NEC, Recovery Committee

National Recovery Plans Completed

By 4th Quarter 2004


27


ANNEX E

LIST OF EMERGENCY CONTINGENCY PLANS/GUIDELINES

1. BASIC NATIONAL DISASTER PLAN 2. NATIONAL HURRICANE CONTINGENCY PLAN 3. NATIONAL FLOOD CONTINGENCY PLAN 4. NATIONAL EVACUATION PLAN 5. NATIONAL FIRE PLAN 6. NATIONAL LAND SEARCH AND RESCUE PLAN 7. NATIONAL RELIEF SUPPLIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 8. NATIONAL OIL SPILL PLAN 9. NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND NEEDS ANALYSIS 10. NATIONAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL 11. NATIONAL TELECOMMINICATIONS PLAN

12. NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE MANAGEMENT 13. GUIDELINES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF PLANS REVIEW AND TESTING 14. GUIDELINES FOR SHELTER MANAGEMENT IN BELIZE 15. GUIDELINES FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF NEMO 16. PROPOSAL FOR ENHANCEMENT OF POLICIES FOR DONATION 17. PROPOSAL FOR National Telecommunications Manual 18. DISTRICT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL

19. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS MANUAL

28

20. STRATEGIC TRAINING PLAN

introduction - university of the west disaster management * preserving life and property”...

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