In an effort to enhance disaster preparedness, over 30 participants have commenced an intensive training program in Labasa, aimed at improving the efficacy of emergency operations centers. This initiative, supported by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), brings together a diverse group comprising first responders, community workers, and government officials from divisional and district levels.
The comprehensive training program is designed to equip participants with critical skills in emergency operations center (EOC) structures, activation protocols, radio communications, initial damage assessment, situation reporting, and incident action planning. It will culminate in a realistic simulation exercise to test their preparedness for real-world disaster scenarios.
Opening the session, Litiana Bainimarama, Manager for Emergency, Planning, and Coordination at the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), highlighted the increasing risks of floods and heavy rains in Fiji’s Northern Division due to the exacerbating impact of climate change. She emphasized that this training is vital for strengthening the ability of responders to save lives and protect livelihoods.
Bainimarama urged active collaboration among the participants to ensure a fast and coordinated disaster response for communities in crisis. She also expressed gratitude towards international partnerships, particularly the support from Australia’s DFAT, for their invaluable contribution towards building resilience.
This initiative follows similar training efforts in Fiji, highlighting a continued and concerted effort to improve readiness for natural disasters. Such programs, including previous collaborations for urban search and rescue and business continuity planning, underscore Fiji’s proactive stance in fostering disaster resilience. These steps are crucial as the country faces growing climate challenges, which have emphasized the importance of preparation and coordination in disaster response.
By fostering local and international collaboration to enhance disaster response capabilities, Fiji continues to build hope for a future where communities are better prepared and resilient against the threats posed by climate change. Efforts like these not only strengthen response mechanisms but also solidify Fiji’s leadership in regional disaster preparedness.