Five representatives from the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) and the Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF) are now trained to operate, coordinate, and manage the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) during an emergency or disaster.
This followed their participation in a four-day Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Management Training at the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) in Antigua and Barbuda from August 18–21, 2026.
Montserrat was represented by DMCA Director and RMDF Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ryan; DMCA Information and Education Officer Shirlian Queeley; DMCA Senior Disaster Management Coordinator Astrid Wade; RMDF Captain Glenroy Foster; and RMDF Lieutenant Darion Darroux.
The training covered the structure and functions of EOCs, emergency coordination, information and resource management, decision-making, and effective communication. Participants also took part in practical exercises designed to develop their ability to operate effectively within an EOC during a crisis
The training culminated in a complex, multi-hazard simulation involving a rapidly evolving crisis with multiple, cascading events. Participants were required to activate the NEOC, support leadership, coordinate across agencies and ministries, manage resources, make decisions as the situation developed, and provide clear, timely information to the public.
The exercise provided an opportunity to apply EOC management principles in a realistic scenario. It highlighted the importance of coordination, information management, resource allocation, decision-making, and clear communication during an emergency or a disaster.
The workshop brought together representatives from the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda and Sint Maarten, providing an opportunity to share experiences, examine approaches to EOC management, and develop a common understanding of emergency coordination across the region.
Montserrat’s participation forms part of ongoing national efforts to ensure that DMCA and RMDF personnel are prepared to support the operation of the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and coordinate emergency response when required.
The training was facilitated through CDEMA’s regional disaster preparedness and capacity-building efforts, which support the development of national emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the Caribbean.
Effective emergency response depends on personnel understanding their roles, working together, and being prepared to act when an emergency occurs.