The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government’s Disaster Management Coordinating Unit has officially launched its Municipal Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
The Municipal EOC was established as a central command for logistics, planning and operations during disasters, with the capacity to capture data in real time from all Municipal Corporations.
The Municipal EOC uses a system, which comprises of equipment, personnel, procedures and communications that work together in an emergency to react, understand and respond.
During a disaster, the Centre manages the combined assets of the 14 Municipal Corporations, prioritizing where to deploy these assets to ensure that the most pressing needs are met, and that precious resources are used without duplication or waste.
According to the Ministry, this ultimately results in enhanced disaster preparedness and, more importantly, response.
National Security Minister Stuart Young congratulated the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government on the launch of the Municipal EOC, and indicated “Experience would suggest that the two critical areas in being able to handle disasters are planning in advance, that is making sure you know your asset base and the first responders.
Young said “This will go a long way in assisting us when the next disaster hits.”
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