NDCC

Core Function
Tuesday, 04 March 2008
Last Updated Friday, 25 July 2008

The Core Function

The core functions of the NDCC Opcen are:

- alert and monitoring;
- multi-agency operational coordination;
- response resource mobilization;
- information management and;
- program coordination for operations capability upgrade.

Alert and Monitoring

- Provide warning, in close coordination with national warning agencies and through all available means, to areas
threatened by slow-onset disasters like storms, typhoons and consequent flooding, providing the public a clear
understanding of what to expect and advisories on the appropriate precautionary measures to be undertaken
- Monitor the probable consequences of potential, ongoing and past
disasters or emergency situations around the country in close coordination with the OPCENs of relevant NDCC-member
agencies through the local disaster coordinating council channels (DCCs), the Red Cross Chapters, NGO networks,
volunteer groups, Armed Forces/Police/Coast Guard units and other sources
- Alert available response units at the national level and closely monitor the conduct of disaster response operations,
mobilizing additional resources available as may be needed on the ground
- To a limited extent, and as maybe required by the NDCC Chairman and/or the Office of the President (OP), monitor the
transition from emergency response and relief to recovery phase

Operational Coordination
- Coordinate pre-defined pre- and post-disaster operational activities being undertaken by relevant agencies, ensuring
that all key actors are taken onboard
- nitiate and lead the conduct of a multi-agency damage and needs assessment mission as the post disaster situation
warrants
- Provide operational updates to the UN Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) in the country, the ASEAN Humanitarian
Assistance Center (AHA), aid agencies and other international organizations, making sure that they are all in the loop
and kept abreast of the unfolding situation
- Allocate working stations for pre-identified NDCC-member agency representatives who will be working at the NDCC
OPCEN during disaster situations
- Facilitate the conduct of a multi-agency debriefing of past disaster situations to look into areas of strength and areas for
improvement
- Promote a synergistic multi-agency approach in managing the potential
consequences of disasters in the country
- Facilitate the provision of support to operational units being mobilized for response operations

Response Resource Mobilization

- Maintain an updated database of all available response resources in the country that can provide capacities on the
ground in the area of airlift operations, fire suppression, emergency health services, ambulance service/emergency
evacuation, security, emergency social services, environmental emergencies, hazardous materials emergencies, urban
search and rescue, engineering, and basic utilities
- Assist in the formulation of mobilization SOPs for these response resources and operational support arrangements like
MOAs/MOUs with NGOs and private groups, and rehearse them as far as practicable
- Facilitate the conduct of a post mobilization debriefing for all units deployed and utilized to look into areas of strength
and areas for improvement

Information Management
- Maintain an updated database of relevant baseline information on population demography in the different regions,
hospital and health facilities, schools, etc.
- Collect, collate, validate, analyze information and undertake the appropriate steps to be taken based on pre-delegated
tasks and responsibilities, otherwise recommend to the NDCC Executive Officer or the NDCC Chairman the necessary
steps to be taken based on processed information for an enhanced decision making process
- Document all past disasters situations to include a review of the pre- and post-disaster activities undertaken by all key
actors, and maintain a database of these documents

Program Coordination for Operational Capability Upgrade

- Maintain active linkages with OPCENs of other NDCC-member agencies and facilitate the synchronization of programs
for operational capability upgrade
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 NDCC

- Explore possibilities of cross fertilization with other OPCENs in the area of staffing, skills and competencies, equipment
operations and maintenance, in-house systems and procedures, database management and granting of access
- Provide operational guidelines on the management of local DCC OPCENs

Protocols and Arrangement

The NDCC Opcen operates on two condition; the normal condition and emergency condition. It has three operating
levels within these conditions: the White Alert for normal operations, the Blue Alert in preparation for a possible surge
capacity requirement and the Red Alert for an impending/anticipated or an unfolding emergency situation requiring full
staffing compliment of the Center.

The Blue Alert corresponds to the partial activation of the NDCC Opcen and the Red Alert calls for the “full”
activation of the Center into an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). During Red Alert or full activation, duty teams
composed of representatives and liaison officers from NDCC member agencies from OCD, PAGASA (hydro-met
hazards), PHIVOLCS (for seismic and volcanic hazards), DSWD, DOH, TRANSCO, AFP, DepEd, DPWH and other
agencies that may be requested to augment, rotate after performing 24-hr duty shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage of the
situation. The OCD Operations Chief, and NDCC Opcen Chief recommends to the NDCC Executive Officer and/or
NDCC Chairman, the activation of the EOC and its reactivation.

DELIVERABLES

While activated, the EOC is expected to timely deliver, process and analyze information, cross-checked and validated
laterally and vertically by inter-agency liaison officers on duty at the EOC, which facilitate sound decision-making,
effective public information, accurate alerts and warnings, and efficient resource mobilization.

At the same time, the EOC is also expected to provide regular updates and reports of the evolving situation and brief key
government officials, including the President.

The NDCC Opcen Chief exercises leadership in providing direction to Duty Teams and in strategizing priority actions to
be taken by the EOC given an evolving situation.

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