The Ministry through its Disaster Management Office – Samoa facilitated a comprehensive training session on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Multihazard Disaster and Emergency Response Plan to ensure the safety of all during the meeting.
The training aimed to provide necessary knowledge and understanding of potential hazards that are imminent during the meeting, emergency coordination during disaster and emergency operation, Standard Operating Systems (SOP) and early warning system and evacuation plans in place.The Multi-Hazard Disaster and Emergency Response Plan outlines essential services that must be maintained to effectively coordinate response to the various hazards identified in the plan.It aligns the specific responsibilities of Response Agencies as outlined in the Disaster and Emergency Management Act 2007, the National Disaster Management Plan, and related plans with the requirements of the CHOGM meeting.The objectives of the training were;
To ensure participants understands potential hazards that may occur during the meeting; To familiarize the participants with the emergency arrangements within the Multi-hazard disaster and emergency response plan; To improve understanding on the NEOC SOPs, functions and roles; To test the EWS in place and enhance awareness and understanding on natural disasters.Participants were familiarized with critical components, including: – Emergency response arrangements within the plan, – Roles and functions of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), – Standard operating procedures (SOPs), – Early warning systems in place to ensure swift action during potential disasters.
Together, we’re preparing to safeguard CHOGM 2024 with effective disaster management strategies and resilient response systems.