Mission statement: “To create a resilient Cook Islands”

Introduction

Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) is the designated Governmental division charged with ensuring;
1. The maintenance of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) plan and all necessary sub-plans.
2. All Government and Private Organisations in the Cook Islands will have in place written plans and operational procedures for all phases of Disaster Risk Management for all known hazards and report to the National Disaster Risk management Council (NDRMC).
3. The Cook Islands DRM plan is prepared, reviewed and tested regularly to ensure that it properly protects life, property and essential infrastructure from all known emergencies and disasters.
4. Administrative support is provided for the National Disaster Risk Management Council.
5. The development of a Cook Islands DRM database to provide information on reports, exercises, resources and contact details.
6. The implementation of DRM Education and Awareness programmes in the Cook Islands.

a. The Disaster Risk Management Act 2007 outlines in detail and provides a mandate for the functions of EMCI in the Cook Islands.

EMCI provides DRM training programmes to assist with the development and design of DRM plans and operating procedures with the assistance of Government organisations, the Cook Islands Red Cross Society and

b. International Partners

The DRR begins at School Campaign

In 2007, the secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction issued the theme “Disaster Risk Reduction begins at School”. This theme is aligned with the action plan in the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters
EMCI designed and implemented the “Disaster Risk Reduction begins at School Awareness Campaign” which included competition activities pertaining to Disaster Risk Reduction in the Cook Islands.
The Awareness Campaign included a Rarotonga School Principals Conference in which the inclusion of Disaster Risk Reduction into the school curriculum was discussed. The Disaster Risk Reduction team at the Ministry of Education is headed by Mrs. Ana Pokino in which a pilot project for Disaster safety plans for all known hazards is currently being implemented at Nikao Maori School.
The Disaster Risk Management Awareness Campaign also included one hour radio talk-back programmes over five days which started the EMCI, Cook Islands Meteorological Services and Cook Islands Red Cross Society ongoing DRR presentations into the Schools and Communities.

Awareness programmes for students (young adults)

The School presentation programme is designed by EMCI Training and Awareness Officer. These presentations are designed with the intention of encouraging young adults to look further into the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) subject matter through questioning the presenter or their teachers, parents or guardians and research.

EMCI DRM awareness presentations for young adults include a lot of pictures (85% of presentation) to maintain concentration, local events to relate easier to the subject, facts to enhance awareness and problem solving or quiz sessions aimed at generating and encouraging the expression of young thoughts in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Older students have hazard assessment activities for vulnerability to encourage safety practices in the school and their household. Disturbing pictures portraying human or animal suffering or open injuries are never used in any EMCI DRM presentation. EMCI DRM awareness presentations are passed to the Director of EMCI for comments prior to delivery.

New DRM training activities for young adults have recently being designed by EMCI and are available for their enjoyment in our EMCI Kids Corner. EMCI will continue to design and test new training initiatives to assist in the delivery of DRM and DRR programmes amongst our young adults. The concept behind training young adults today in DRM and DRR is to ensure this knowledge is in the Cook Islands workforce of tomorrow and therefore maintaining our goal of “Creating a resilient Cook Islands”

Training Programmes

Disaster Risk Management training programmes by EMCI, Cook Islands Red Cross Society and International partners has provided representatives from Government and Private Organisations within the Cook Islands the capability to design and exercise DRM plans and procedures within their organisations.
Government and Private Organisations throughout the Cook Islands have contributed greatly to the success of these DRM training programmes through their continuous support and participation. Organisation representatives have brought to the table experience and initiatives that have improved our DRM approach to all known hazards.
A DRM Standard Operating Procedures and Plan template is currently being designed by EMCI to also assist Government agencies and Private Organisations with the development of their plans and procedures.
DRM training along with DRM templates will assist EMCI in “Creating a resilient Cook Islands”.

Training Courses

Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
This course offered detailed principles for the establishment and operations of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and included an Operations Exercise. The course resulted in the establishment of additional Emergency Operation Centers within key stakeholder organisations. This has enhanced effective communications.

Introduction to Disaster Management (IDM)
This course introduced in detail, all phases of the Disaster Risk Management cycle (Preparedness, Response, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, Prevention and Mitigation). Reiterated here was all phases are interconnected. This assisted participants in identifying their organisational responsibilities in the Disaster Risk Management Cycle and the importance of a collective approach.

Initial Disaster Assessment (IDA)
The Initial Disaster Assessment (IDA) course provided participants with the capabilities to prepare, record and conduct a comprehensive assessment on a disaster stricken area.
The course included a field trip to areas damaged by disasters where assessments were conducted and later evaluated.

Geographic Information systems (GIS)
Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information that is useful in many areas including Disaster Management Planning for Organisations.

References

Emergency Management Cook Islands focal responsibilities are linked to the following International, Regional and National plans;
1. Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 – Building the resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters
2. The Madang Framework for Action 2005-2015 - Theme 4: Planning for effective Preparedness, Response and Recovery
3. The National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) “A Society resilient to Natural Disasters and Climate Change effects”