Disaster Management & Prevention

The Disaster Management and Prevention Department shall

(a) assist in planning and implementation of programmes to prevent and/or mitigate disaster in the District within the framework of national policies;

(b) facilitate the organization of public disaster education campaign programmes to:
(i) create and sustain awareness of hazards of disaster; and
(ii) emphasize the role of the individual in the prevention of disaster;

(c) assist and facilitate education and training of volunteers;
(i) to fight fires including bush fires, or
(ii) take measures to manage the after effects of natural disasters;

(d) prepare and review district disaster prevention and management plans to prevent or control disasters arising from
(i) floods, bush fires, and human settlement fires
(ii) outbreak of communicable diseases; and
(iii) earthquakes and other natural disasters.

(e) facilitate the organization of disaster management exercises annually;

(f) ensure compliance with rules in respect of private and public properties to ensure adequate protection against disasters;

(g) facilitate the provision of emergency shelters and services in the event of disasters;

(h) in consultation and collaboration with appropriate agencies, identify disaster zones and take necessary steps to;
(i) educate people within the areas, and
(ii) prevent development activities which may give rise to disasters in the area;
(i) participate in post disaster assessment to determine the extent of damage and needs of the disaster area;

(j) co-ordinate the receiving, management and supervision of the distribution of relief items in the district;

(k) investigate reports and analyze the nature of hazards, vulnerability and risk situations;

(l) facilitate collection, collation and preservation of data on disasters in the district;

(m) inspect and offer technical advice on the importance of fire extinguishers;

(n) co-ordinate the organization of Fire Volunteer Squads at the community level; and

(o) assist and facilitate rescue and valuation services to those trapped by fire and other emergency situations.