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http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=128014 

Bracing for the cyclone season 

Tuesday, August 25, 2009 

DIVISIONAL heads in the West, including Roko Tui, are being trained on how to run an 
emergency centre during a national disaster. 

Commissioner Western Joeli Cawaki said since the cyclone season was around the 
corner, all provincial administrators in the West and department heads were in the 
workshop to manage operations centres during a disaster. 

Mr Cawaki said it was vital these people were equipped and prepared should something 
happen. 

Asia Foundation Risk Management program director Kathryn Hawley said hopefully, 
come any national disaster, those manning emergency operation centers knew what to do 
and how to respond to any emergency call. 

Ms Hawley said the five-day training would be on emergency operations centres and 
initial damage assessment. 

"The purpose of the course is to provide knowledge and skills necessary for the 
establishment, operation, management and administration of emergency operation 
centres," said Ms Hawley. 

She said the training would provide participants with skills and knowledge to conduct 
initial damage assessment after a disaster to help responsible agencies to better determine 
immediate relief requirements. 

Ms Hawley said the training would provide the chance for participants to develop 
partnerships and network among their organizations and agencies in the division to 
ensure a more integrated approach to disaster management.