Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2022)

11.   National emergency and disaster response plan

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   (1)   The Director shall, in consultation with NEMAC, prepare a National Emergency and Disaster Response Plan to be approved by the Minister, comprising the statement of the contingency arrangements under the coordination of the Director for responding to the threat or event and aftermath of an emergency or a disaster in Saint Lucia, whether or not the threat of the emergency or disaster is such as to prompt the issuance of an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of a state of emergency or a notice of evacuation.

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   (2)   The Director shall in consultation with NEMAC review the National Emergency and Disaster Response Plan annually and may with the approval of the Minister make amendments to the National Emergency and Disaster Response Plan.

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   (3)   The National Emergency and Disaster Response Plan shall include —

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      (a)     procedures related to preparedness for, mitigation of, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters by public officers, Ministries and Departments of Government, statutory bodies, local government units, and persons or organizations who volunteer or are required by law to perform functions related to the mitigation of, preparedness for, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters in Saint Lucia;

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      (b)     procedures for coordinating the National Emergency and Disaster Response Plan and its implementation with the preparation and implementation of disaster and emergency response plans of persons referred to in paragraph (a);

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      (c)     procedures for informing persons referred to in paragraph (a) and the public in Saint Lucia and elsewhere of the existence of an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency or a notice of evacuation, or the existence of an emergency or disaster;

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      (d)     procedures for preparing and maintaining inventories of services, systems and supplies for the preparedness for, mitigation of, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters;

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      (e)     procedures for mobilizing services and systems for the preparedness for, mitigation of, response to and recovery from emergencies and disasters, including procedures for the provision of manpower for Emergency Operations Centers and for the protection of the family and property of persons required for the purpose of providing manpower to such Centers or required otherwise to perform other duties of protecting the public;

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      (f)     procedures for the protection and restoration of communications during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (g)     procedures for informing persons under paragraph (a) and the public in Saint Lucia and elsewhere of the state of affairs during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (h)     procedures for the release, distribution and replenishment of emergency stores of supplies of food, water, clothing and medical supplies during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (i)     procedures established by the Minister responsible for health for safeguarding against epidemics during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (j)     procedures established by the Minister responsible for fire for safeguarding against fires during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (k)     procedures for the provision of shelter for persons during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (l)     procedures for cooperation with international organizations and governments of countries outside Saint Lucia during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (m)     procedures for accepting and facilitating the distribution of volunteer services and relief supplies during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster;

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      (n)     procedures to apply where a notice of evacuation is issued under this Act or any other law in force in Saint Lucia;

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      (o)     procedures to apply in the event that the requisitioning of private property is considered to be desirable during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster, including procedures for assessing and paying compensation;

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      (p)     procedures for protecting life and property from the dangers of looting and riotous behaviour during an alert, a declaration of disaster, a declaration of state of emergency, a notice of evacuation or in the event or the aftermath of an emergency or disaster.