Department of Disaster Management 

• Name:                    Department of Disaster Management
• Director:                 Ms. Sharleen DaBreo
• Mailing Address:      3 Wailing Road, McNamara, Tortola, BVI
• Telephone:             (284) 494-4499 or 468-3701 Ext. 4457/4458
• Facsimile:              (284) 494- 2024
• Website:                 www.bviddm.com

History

The Department of Disaster Management originated in the Office of the Deputy Governor is 1983 with a Desk Officer. It became an independent department in 1990 with the employment of the first full-time Disaster Preparedness Coordinator. Initial operations concentrated on the preparedness phase of the disaster management cycle until the strategy shifted to comprehensive disaster management which encompasses the four phases of the disaster cycle (preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery). Today the DDM is one of the leading National Disaster Organisations in the region.

Plans and Programmes

The Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) framework defines the goal of the Territory’s programme “to reinforce the development potential of the BVI by reducing risks from all hazards”. The DDM endeavors to support the achievement of this goal through the establishment of the necessary systems, structures, programmes, resources, capabilities and guiding principles for reducing risks and preparing for and responding to disasters. This is done ultimately, through the achievement of two main objectives defined as “reducing economic loss from hazard impacts; and minimizing human suffering from natural and man-made impacts”.

The DDM accomplishes this through programme areas which are summarized below.

• Mitigation & Planning: Goal – Vulnerability reduction.
• Community Preparedness and Supply Management: Goal - Communities capable of securing and sustaining themselves during disaster situations.
• Public Information & Education: Goal - Public informed, educated and trained in disaster management issues.
• Training & Research – Goal: public and NDO members informed, educated and trained in disaster management issues.
• Response Systems Management – Goal: Maintain a modern, reliable emergency response infrastructure.
• Emergency Information Management: Goal - modern, reliable emergency response infrastructure.
• Administration, Recovery Coordination and Finance: Goal - high level of departmental performance, accountability and recovery coordination.

Budget and Staff

 There are 9 established employees and 2 non-established employees assigned to the DDM. The staff of the department is divided as follows:

• Director (1)
• Programme Managers (4)
• Programme Officers (3)
• Support Staff (3)

Reports

According the Disaster Management Act 2003, Part 4, Section 10 (1), within 3 months after the end of every year, the Director is required to prepare a report of the activities of the department for the preceding year, and submit the report to the Governor who shall present it to the Executive Council for approval and submit copies of the report to be laid before the Legislative Council. The Department has fulfilled this obligation to date. A copy of the 2005 Annual Report can be found www.bviddm.com.