From The Cayman Islands Governor’s Office

The Governor’s Office has confirmed that two senior officers from the UK’s Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) staff have been in the Cayman Islands to discuss disaster relief plans this week.

Lieutenant Colonel Rich Maltby from the Royal Marines and Squadron Leader John Kirkman from the Royal Air Force arrived in Grand Cayman on Monday (18 June 2018), and have been working closely with Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Governor’s Office to discuss plans for a coordinated UK and regional response to potential disasters in the Overseas Territories.

The UK officers also met with a range of organisations who would be key players locally to any disaster response including RCIPS units, the Airports Authority, HM Prison Service, and utility and transport providers.  The visit also included a briefing for members of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday on UK military capabilities and planning.

Following the major hurricane strikes that devastated some Overseas Territories last year, the visit is part of work to ensure the OTs and the UK are as prepared as possible to coordinate an effective response for future events and to ensure that territories can be quickly supported by specialist personnel, stores and emergency supplies.

Staff from the Governor’s Office, HMCI and the Ministry of Home Affairs will also travel to London next week to take part in talks with the UK and other regional countries and organisations on enhancing regional cooperation on disaster relief operations.

Lt Col Maltby commented:  “Advanced planning for disasters is vital to reduce the impacts of the violent storms and other natural disasters that our Overseas Territories are prone to.  We have had a fantastic week in the Cayman Islands learning more about the capabilities that you have and some of the challenges. The ability of the OTs to provide mutual support is important to enhance any military response and other regional assistance.  The role played by the Islands last year in deploying police, aviation and medical teams made a real difference in stabilising the affected territories.  The Cayman Islands’ teams worked closely with UK military units and we are committed to enhancing this cooperation to ensure that our response is as swift and effective as possible”.