New emergency operation centre opens in Bua

EVERY emergency operations centre (EOC) played an important role at strategic level during an emergency because it is the central command and control centre.

Speaking at the opening of the newly-refurbished centre at Nabouwalu in Bua today, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development permanent secretary Meleti Bainimarama said the new centre was responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness and emergency management, or disaster management functions.

He said this would ensure there was continuity of operation at national, divisional, district (level) and in the communities.

Mr Bainimarama said the functions of the new EOC would be to collect, gather and analyse data; make decisions that protected life and property, maintaining continuity of the organisation within the scope of applicable laws; disseminating these decisions to all concerned agencies and individuals.

“This centre is also a home away from home for our officials who will spend long hours and sleepless nights during emergencies and disasters when they conduct operations and taking response actions to alleviate suffering and durable recovery to the affected people,” he said.

The refurbished Nabouwalu Emergency Operation Centre features the communication room; district coordinators office, customer service area and general office.