Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) hosted a comprehensive 2-day Response Program Training Session earlier this week.
The September 14th and 15th sessions were facilitated by Garth Vincent, Lead Emergency Response Consultant for the Development of Disaster Preparedness Business Continuity Plans (DPBCP) and Emergency Response Plans (ERP), and supported by Ms. Shamila Ragoobir, consultant representative from the Caribbean Water Utilities Insurance Collective (CWUIC).
Members from the MUL’s Water Division, Electricity Division, and Finance & Accounts Department, alongside external Partners such as the Montserrat Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), Montserrat Red Cross, Montserrat Port Authority (MPA), and the Department of Environmental Health, attended the workshop.
It focused on emergency preparedness & planning, streamlined coordination, damage assessment & resource mobilization, agreements & safety protocols and business Continuity.
The workshop aimed to enhance the team’s ability to develop robust emergency preparedness and disaster response plans, and improve communication channels and coordination among utilities and CWUIC for efficient pre, during, and post-disaster recovery.
It sought to establish structured procedures to analyze damages, and to effectively mobilize, deploy, and coordinate crews and equipment, implement essential frameworks such as Mutual Aid Agreements (MAA) and utilizing emergency response guidebooks for handling hazardous substances safely.
The Collaborative event worked on conducting thorough business impact analyses to identify core functions, assess risks, and prioritize recovery stages.
MUL said the initiative highlights the unwavering commitment of the organizations coming together to strengthen island-wide preparedness and safeguard the community.