VANUATU Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) CEO Francis Herman has recommended that the Pacific region establish a dedicated location stocked with emergency broadcasting kits, ready to be deployed in the event of catastrophic disasters like earthquakes.
Speaking at the Pacific Media Partnership Conference, Mr Herman reflected on the challenges VBTC faced following the December 17 earthquake in Vanuatu.
“I have lived through 32 cyclones, two bushfires, and four military coups, but nothing compared to the fear I felt that day,” Mr Herman said.
He emphasised the need for a designated location in the Pacific, stocked with emergency broadcasting kits that could be quickly loaded onto early relief flights.
“If we had a designated location in the Pacific stocked with these kits, they could be loaded onto one of the early relief flights,” he said.
“That way, we could be up and running quickly without scrambling for equipment from multiple suppliers.
“This is something we would like to leave as a legacy.”
Recalling the earthquake, Mr Herman described the chaos inside his office.
“My printer flew across the office, narrowly missing my head. My desk jumped at least a metre off the floor.
“The room quickly filled with dust. I could hear people screaming outside while I lay on the floor, waiting for the room to collapse.”
He added that, in that moment, he was convinced his time had come.
Mr Herman urged technical experts from Pacific media organisations to collaborate on standardising emergency equipment, ensuring broadcasters can continue operations during disasters.
He noted that the earthquake exposed critical gaps in VBTC’s disaster preparedness, which the organisation is now working to address.
