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FSM’s National Office of Environment & Emergency Management (OEEM) and the Yap State Office of Planning
and Budget (OPB) coordinated Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) and Emergency Operations Centers (EOC)
training for key department and agency personnel in Colonia, March 5th to 9th. Support was provided by
the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) for this first
time EOC/IDA training, which was conducted at the recently renovated, State Emergency Operations Center
(SEOC). The training brought together personnel from the departments of Health, Public Works, Public Safety,
Environment, Airport, Fire Rescue as well as staff of the State Disaster Coordinating Office, the Yap Branch of
the Micronesia Red Cross Society and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Instructors fromSOPAC’s Disaster Reduction Programand The Asia Foundation facilitated theweeklong training
along with national instructors from OEEM and IOM. The Director for the Office of Planning and Budget, Mr
Kensly Ikosia, expressed appreciation to SOPAC, the Foundation and OEEM for the support to their request for
this training to be carried out for emergency and disaster personnel. “This training is timely with us having just
completed the renovations to our EOC facility and looking to train and exercise within the facility, enabling us
to practice the functions and test our arrangements for future emergency operations,” said Mr Ikosia.
Participants were fully engaged in the training and exercises conducted throughout the week and the
facilitators were impressed by the interest and dedication shown for the subject areas presented. Contributions
to discussions enabled the Instructors to better relate to local scenarios, enhancing the learning from the
practical exercises, and ensuring a significant level of learning across the various sectors represented. Ms
Kathryn Hawley, Director of The Asia Foundation, highlighted the aimof the training was to increase knowledge,
understanding and capacity of personnel and agencies who have roles and responsibilities during emergencies
and disasters, ensuring correct processes and procedures are followed when EOC activation is necessary.
The USAID Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) through The Asia Foundation and the SOPAC
Division of SPC provided the funding for the training.
8
Disaster Management Training – Yap
State, Federated States of Micronesia
Director of Office of Planning & Budget – Mr Kensley Ikosia addresses participants
at opening of the EOC/IDA training in Colonia, Yap.
Participants in the EOC/IDA training recently conducted in Colonia, Yap State, FSM.