Lt. Col. Stanley E. Toy, chief of JTF-HD U.S. Army Pacific, said the workshop aims to enhance government agencies’ understanding of current multi-agency and jurisdictional response, operations, and recovery plans and capabilities on certain types of disasters.
“This event is a venue to facilitate a dialogue that allows for everybody to cross talk response plans, events, post-crisis, recovery operations, defining roles and responsibilities, and how we communicate the emergency response activities to bring about mitigation of all hazards,” Toy stated.
He enumerated the four types of hazards or emergencies that will be tackled in the workshop — pandemic, maritime/natural disasters, mass casualty airport disaster, and emergency communications.
He stressed the importance of efficient communications exchange by pointing out a particular scenario wherein a typhoon hits the island and the local government requests for assistance from the federal government.
“If you can’t communicate, then you cannot effectively provide the support,” Toy said, adding that there will be problems with plan coordination, rescue and operation requirements and other concerns.
The end goal of the workshop will be to ensure synergy or coordination in developing interoperable communications systems between JTF-HD and the CNMI disaster response agencies such as EMO, the Departments of Public Safety, Public Health, and other relevant government offices.
The workshop is funded by the U.S. Pacific Command’s JTF-HD.
