Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the

POLICY FRAMEWORKS-
- Comprehensive Disaster Management Policy Framework
- Critical Infrastructure Policy Framework

DRAFT POLICIES -
-Hazard Mitigation Policy
-Comprehensive Disaster Mangement Policy
-Critical Infrastructure Policy Framework
-Shelter Management Policy
-National Relief Policy
-Volunteer Policy
-National Response Framework

PROGRAMMES IN DRR
- Communities Organized and Ready for Emergencies
which encompasses the following projects:
1. Safer Schools Projects
2. Community Outreach

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) - Member

National Disaster Risk Reduction Committee (NDRRC), the national platform for DRR in Trinidad and Tobago - Chair/Member

National Building Codes Committee of Trinidad and Tobago - Member

Trinidad and Tobago's Bureau of Standards' (TTBS)National Mirror Committee for Societal Standards and its sub-committees- Member

Energy Sector Security Initiative (ESSI) - Member

Integrated Coastal Zone Management Steering Committee - Member

UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme - Member

Trinidad and Tobago is the Sub Regional Focal Point (SRFP) for Grenada, Guyana and Suriname. Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Jamaica are the other front line countries which will response to any of the other 12 member states after a major hazard impact or disaster.

http://www.odpm.gov.tt

https://www.facebook.com/ODPMTT

https://twitter.com/ODPM_TT

http://www.youtube.com/TTODPM

iii. Community participation and decentralization is ensured through the delegation of authority and resources to local levels. - CORE Programme, CERT Training

iv. A national multi-sectoral platform for disaster risk reduction is functioning. - The National Disaster Risk Reduction Committee which comprises of members from academic groups, private and public sector, civil and professional groups.

In addition to a national muti-sectoral committee set up to address each indicator of this priority area for action, the UNDP Project - Capacity Development for Disaster Risk Reduction is currently ongoing to strengthen our national capacity in the follwing:

i National and local risk assessments based on hazard data and vulnerability information are available and include risk assessments for key sectors.

ii. Systems are in place to monitor, archive and disseminate data on key hazards and vulnerabilities.

iii. Early warning systems are in place for all major hazards, with outreach to communities

iv. National and local risk assessments take account of regional/ trans-boundary risks, with a view to regional cooperation on risk reduction.

In addition to a national muti-sectoral committee set up to address each indicator of this priority area for action, the following activities are ongoing:

v. Country wide public awareness strategy exists to stimulate a culture of disaster resilience, with outreach to urban and rural communities through the CORE programme. Awareness also raised through use of social media, Safer Schools Programme and the Crisis Communications Programme.

In addition to a national muti-sectoral committee set up to address each indicator of this priority area for action, the following activities exist:

i. Disaster risk reduction is an integral objective of environment-related policies and plans, including for land use, natural resource management and climate change adaptation.

v. Planning and management of human settlements incorporate disaster risk reduction elements, including enforcement of building codes.

v. Disaster risk reduction measures are integrated into post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation processes.

In addition to a national muti-sectoral committee set up to address each indicator of this priority area for action, the following activities exist:

ii. Disaster preparedness plans and contingency plans are in place at all administrative levels, and regular training drills and rehearsals are held to test and develop disaster response programmes.
- On March 20th, 2013, the ODPM coordinated the National Exercise entitled "OMEGA exercise" which included table-top exercies and drills to test and measure the response of citizens, vulnerable groups, private and public sectors agencies to a simulated tsunami and earthquake. It is envisioned that a National Exercise of this nature will occur annually on the 20th March.

iii. Financial reserves and contingency mechanisms are in place to enable effective response and recovery when required.