The Valley, Anguilla – The Department of Disaster Management held an earthquake table top exercise on Thursday 18th August 2016 at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in order to test plans relating to response and relief in an earthquake scenario. The principal focus of the exercise was the arrangements needed to provide disaster relief to the public of Anguilla in the event of a catastrophic earthquake which damaged several critical government and private agencies as well as significantly affected the road network.
The NEOC was activated for the exercise and all participants were engaged in the simulation in order to encourage familiarisation with the impacts of a significant earthquake event and their corresponding roles. The RFA Wave Knight which is currently visiting Anguilla was invited to the exercise and officers played the role of observers for the simulation.
Chief Officer Alderson of the RFA Wave Knight gave a presentation on the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities of the vessel which can provide rapid short term assistance in the event of a disaster event in critical areas such as potable water generation and distribution, temporary shelter and emergency communications.
Mr. Lynrod Brooks, Director of Disaster Management who facilitated the exercise stated, “This exercise represents the latest effort of the Department to continue fostering inter-agency cooperation in response to disaster events which may affect Anguilla. A major earthquake can have devastating impacts to Anguilla and its infrastructure and we have to put steps in place now, before the event, to competently deal with this threat to lives and property. There were some agencies that were not represented in the NEOC and it is important that NEOC staff attend these simulations going forward in order to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from these exercises as well as ensure that they are adequately prepared to respond when necessary.”
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Sitting offshore Anguilla, The British RFA Wave Knight.
According to Naval-Technology.com, “The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service is the specialist front-line support force for the Royal Navy which replenishes warships at sea with fuel, stores, weapons equipment and munitions.
“The fast fleet tankers are able to operate in support of amphibious forces, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations and protection of vital sea areas and shipping.”
It has served in Hurricane Relief in the region as well as law enforcement on the seas. A helicopter from the vessel was this week seen over the island eyeing for Cannabis plants among other possible purposes. It was also reported over the BVI recently, in that instance reportedly assisting in other search efforts.