This chapter is targeted at the group with responsibility for
managing a volcanic crisis. In most - if not all circumstance
- this will be the Emergency Management Committee whose brief
is likely to include the full range of potential technological
and natural disasters. Given this broad remit and bearing in
mind that volcanic action may not have occurred within living
memory, the first step on the road to effective management of
a future volcanic crisis must involve the EMC developing a more
detailed understanding of the volcanic threat. The obvious place
to start is by developing improved links with the scientific
team responsible for volcano monitoring (see section 3.2).
While every state has its own strategy in place to deal with
major emergencies, lessons learned from recent and ongoing volcanic
crises (Guadeloupe 1976; St. Vincent 1979; Montserrat 1995 -
present) can help to improve plans for communication and response.
Based to a large extent on the experiences of these islands,
this section contains advice on how to handle information during
a volcanic emergency and how liaison between the primary stakeholders
can be made more effective. It is assumed here that the body
responsible for management of the crisis and - thereby - for
information handling, will be the EMC. In most Caribbean countries,
this is made up of representatives of key advisory and decision-making
bodies, and typically comprises the Prime Minister or Chief
Minister, other ministers (as appropriate), the Heads of Police
and Civil Defence, a representative of the scientific monitoring
team and a spokesperson. This group has ultimate responsibility
for decisions impinging upon the welfare of the affected population,
including those relating to declaration, changes and cessation
of states of alert and/or emergency, evacuation, prohibition
of movement and resettlement. Inevitably, an EMC is required
to assimilate large amounts of information upon which it is
required to act, often rapidly and under considerable pressure.
The recommendations that follow are designed - under these difficult
circumstances - to make information handling and communication
with other stakeholder groups more effective. |
Created in 1995 in response to the onset of the ongoing Soufriere
Hills eruption, the Montserrat Emergency Operations Committee
is an example of an effective coordinating body that has proved
itself capable of making rapid decisions in response to swift
and unexpected changes in circumstances. The EOC is staffed
by the heads of all departments involved in crisis management
together with a media centre representative. EOC staff are seconded
for the duration of the crisis, leaving deputies in charge of
their respective departments. When not physically present at
the EOC centre, staff are in 24-hour contact via internal or
cellular phone.
Volcanic eruptions in the Caribbean are not sudden events, and
typically take months to reach the critical stage when they
become a serious threat to life, property and general infrastructure.
Such a long build-up must be used by the EMC to activate pre-determined
action plans, to ensure that effective links with the scientists
and the media are in place, and that the mechanisms for communication
of alert levels and warnings are operational. During this build-up
phase, the EMC will also have a duty to provide information
on the developing crisis to other affected groups such as chambers
of commerce, port and airport authorities, airlines, ferries
and other transport bodies, and other NGOs.
In the months of escalation prior to an eruption, some signals
of volcanic unrest (e.g. felt earthquakes or steam outbursts)
will - inevitably - become apparent to the population. These
are likely to promote some public unease and raise pressure
on the EMC to provide more information on the volcano's behaviour.
To establish and maintain the public's trust it is imperative
that the EMC responds quickly, positively and openly to such
requests. Even so, opinion and rumour will feed confusing and
conflicting messages, many of which - in the absence of appropriate
measures (see section 3.3) - may be taken up and widely disseminated
by the media. Once an eruption starts, there will be little
or no time to organise how information is released and communicated
or to establish necessary contacts among key stakeholders. It
is therefore essential for the EMC to have prepared
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