MEDIA RELEASE

ODPM meets with key response agencies related to fuel tanker accident

Today, in an effort to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of the national response mechanism, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) met with all relevant responders of the June 14 fuel tanker accident in Gasparillo. This meeting, which took place at the ODPM’s Tacarigua office, addressed the responsiveness of the responders, adherence to standard operating procedures, the importance of the incident command system approach, public awareness and communication, evacuation/egress of the area, site recovery and rehabilitation and the role of the ODPM and first responder agencies.

Present this morning, were representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS), the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs (MEEA), the Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), Ministry of National Security (MNS), the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation (CTTRC), Petrotrin, National Petroleum (NP), Radio Emergency Associated Communications (REACT), Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio Society (TTARS) and the Trinidad and Tobago Emergency Mutual Aid Scheme (TTEMAS).

Following brief presentations of the incident from all participants, the ODPM Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stephen Ramroop underscored the fact that each first responder agency must review and develop its own standard operating procedures and ensure that there is a proper flow of information among agencies and to the general citizenry. Additionally, he reiterated that although the ODPM is not a first responder agency, there is the need for the establishment of a National Extreme Incident Response Team (NEIRT). This NEIRT will adequately address all gaps in the incident command system and information flow. The NEIRT policy, which has already been drafted by the ODPM, will be sent to Cabinet for approval.

Scheduled meetings among all responder agencies will now be held monthly and coordinated and facilitated by the ODPM.

The ODPM believes that it is important for all agencies to realise and understand each other’s roles and responsibilities and become innately familiar with all relevant standard operating procedures in order to avoid any confusion and / or duplication of efforts and ensure the application of appropriate information and knowledge management systems.

We remain committed to working with all sectors to continue building a culture of safety and resilience in Trinidad and Tobago.

ENDS

Issued by:-

Public Information, Education and Community Outreach Unit