Photos: WFP/ Mariko Hall; Telecoms Sans Frontieres REGIONAL ETC WORKSHOP, SAMOA, JULY 2016 NDMO PRESENTATION EMERGENCY TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIJI ISLANDS

FIJI NDMO - BACKGROUND  Government Department under the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development & Disaster Management Office (RMD & DMO)  Located: 2 nd floor of the Knolly Plaza, Suva City, Fiji Islands  Governed by the Act: Natural Disaster Management Act 1998  Management: NATDISCON (PS RMD & DMO) & NATDISCORD (DNDMO) - 12 staff  SOP: Fiji National Emergency Operation Centre SOP 2010 covers all aspect of the operations at the national level detailing operational arrangements and guidance; NATDISCON, NATDISCORD, NEOC and operational links between lead agencies.

FIJI GOVERNMENT DISASTER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE - IN NORMAL TIMES

NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE IN NORMAL TIME  The NDM Council is the forum for the formulation of disaster management policies  The NDMO, as the operational arm of the Council, implements these policies in close cooperation with government ministries, in particular the District Administration (Divisional Commissioners and District Offices) and NGOs (CSO’s, private sector) according to established development procedures.

FIJI NDMO - COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS  HF radio network: used in all EOCs - NEOC, DIVEOC and DISTEOC. (Not functional at this stage - system needs urgent upgrade. No technicians / no special operator within NDMO).  Early Warning Siren: Used only for tsunami early warning based at 2 spots only within the vicinity of the capital - Suva. (Operated by NDMO). (Siren system needs more coverage in other parts of the country that are prone to tsunami threat).

FIJI NDMO - COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS  Flood Early Warning Systems: only fixed at some areas in the Western Division. (Only covers part of the Western Division - needs urgent maintenance and further extension in other flood prone areas).  SMS Mass Notification Tool: only used by the Education Cluster and has not been introduced to NDMO.  VHF/UHF Radio Network: Used by Fiji Military and Police in their communications.

FIJI NDMO - COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS  Radio Broadcast System (AM/FM): Widely used for broadcasting messages during disaster periods. (So far regarded as the best and most reliable way of sending messages to the general public).  Mobile Phones/Landlines: Coverage is Fiji wide. Multiple network operators - Vodafone/Digicel/TFL. (Networks are always at risk of disruptions in disaster as the antennas get damaged and lines get broken).  Satellite Phones: None. (Provided on loan basis only. Probably the best option to advance to but expensive for NDMO due to high call costs).

FIJI NDMO - HF RADIO- 25 SITES

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST?  Upgrade of communications equipment and networks  Provision of proper communication rooms within the EOCs  Provision of HF communication equipment for vehicles  Provision of satellite phones for all the EOCs.

CHALLENGES  Non-availability of a technician within the NDMO and backup service  Non-availability of dedicated comms operator at NEOC and Divisional EOCs to do routine tests and radio checks.

CLUSTERS / GROUPS FOR EMERGENCY  NDMO activates Cluster Groups through endorsement of the PS RMD & DMO  Communications Cluster formed in 2015  PS Ministry of Information and Communication is the Cluster lead and assisted by the Emergency Communication Cluster Agencies  Clusters meet during and outside of disaster times coordinated by NDMO and cluster leads. This is to allow preparedness / readiness at all times. Still new and is taking root slowly.

Photos: WFP/ Mariko Hall; Telecoms Sans Frontieres THANK YOU REGIONAL ETC WORKSHOP, SAMOA, JULY 2016