26 From community-led hurricane shelters to a modern all-hazard agency • Continued from previous page perceived at that time. In the 1980s, various Departments of Government were assigned lead roles for a variety of emergency response initiatives such as security, health, food, welfare and shelter. Hurricane preparedness plans were common in the said government agencies. Nongovernment organisations were assigned major support responsibilities most notably: • Hurricane Shelters: Organised by the Montserrat Branch of the British Red Cross and the Montserrat Defence Force. Schools and churches served as shelters. • District Disaster Coordinators: Local volunteers acted as contact points for Government intervention in communities. Those District Disaster Committees were the backbone of community response. They excelled at the onset of volcanic activities. There was limited legislation: No local Montserrat Disaster Management laws existed; only the Leeward Islands (Emergency Powers) Order – Statutory Instrument 1959 No. 2206 provided limited authority and guidance. 1989: Hurricane Hugo Exposed the Management Gaps On September 17, 1989, Hurricane Hugo damaged or destroyed more than 90 per cent of Montserrat’s buildings. Despite the heroic efforts of many people, the absence of coordinated planning, a dedicated organisational hub and relevant legislation all led to delayed recovery. Criticism of shelter management, relief distribution, and storage even appeared in calypso songs — Montserrat’s important traditional social commentary. The Hugo disaster prompted the appointment of a National Disaster Coordinator and the establishment of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Plymouth. The National Disaster Coordinator was assigned at the time to the Chief Minister’s Office portfolio. However Disaster Management as a subject, fell under the authority of the Governor. Two of the first Disaster Coordinators were Ms. Rachel Collis and Ms. Juliette Brade. The EOC Operated from the Royal Montserrat Police Force Headquarters. Governor Frank Savage took the initiative in 1994/95 • Continues on next page
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