28 From community-led hurricane shelters to a modern all-hazard agency • Continued from previous page 1995, are shown at right. EOC personnel and functions changed from 1996 onwards. DISTRICT CHAIRPERSONS – NOVEMBER 1995 • Sylvester Browne • Charles Ryan • Lionel Nanton • Jeremiah Bramble • Christopher Lee • Easton Farrell • Kenneth Farrell • Lenroy Daley • Rupert Weekes • John Jeffers • Roy Cabey • Kenrick Harewood After the evacuation of Plymouth in 1996, the EOC was relocated first to a private home in the designated safe-zone, then to its current northern site, with a renovated community centre providing a permanent operations space. There were several relocations of the EOC in 1995/6. Sub-units were established at that time for greater efficiency. They were later re-centralised. In November 1997, the EOC as an organisation, was renamed Emergency Department. It was set up as an entirely new department with its own Permanent Secretary and full-time staff. Early 2000s: Transition to DMCA By 1998–1999, Montserrat shifted from crisis response to a focus on reconstruction. In the early 2000s, the department became the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), with the late Captain Horatio Tuitt as its first Director. While managing the EOC remains a critical function, it is now activated only when necessary and can be stood-up or partially activated in relation to the expected response. Modern Capabilities and Innovations Today, the DMCA operates as a comprehensive, allhazard agency: • All-Island Siren System: Ten alerting sites, recently upgraded and maintained by in-house technicians with the capability of being triggered both at DMCA and the Police headquarters. Policing being a 24-hour operation, it provides redundancy for afterhours events. • Drone Technology: Supports search and rescue, bushfire response, and post-disaster damage assessments. • Public Education & Outreach: A dedicated member of staff engages schools, community groups, and residents. With a staff of eight, a permanent operations facility, and modern tools, the DMCA ensures Montserrat is prepared across all disaster phases — mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The facilities and features of the DMCA compound are vastly superior to what existed at the EOC in Plymouth in 1995. There is a substantial warehouse with emergency supplies. There is a modern radio room, a dormitory and kitchen, bathrooms with showers, a media room and of course the EOC Operations room along with office accommodation for staff. • Continues on next page
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