Personnel from the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) have strengthened their ability to monitor developing threats, evaluate potential impacts and support informed decision-making during emergency operations.

The staff was involved in a specialized training last week on one of the world’s leading disaster risk reduction and decision support platforms, DisasterAWARE, developed by the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC). PDC is a leading innovator of global risk reduction science and technology at the University of Hawaii.

The virtual training was facilitated by the organization’s Liaison to US Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM) Alex Carias.

Used by more than 25 thousand professionals worldwide, DisasterAWARE provides real-time monitoring and alerting for 28 natural, biological, manmade and geopolitical hazards.

The platform combines authoritative data sources, advanced impact modelling, artificial intelligence, enhanced analytics and risk intelligence tools to help emergency managers and decision-makers act early to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure.

NODS personnel learnt how to integrate DisasterAWARE into Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activities and utilise data from Antigua and Barbuda’s National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment completed in partnership with PDC in 2024 to make informed decisions.

The training emphasized practical applications that support preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities while enhancing national resilience and disaster management capabilities. NODS remains committed to strengthening national preparedness, enhancing operational readiness and ensuring Antigua and Barbuda remains equipped with the tools and information needed to effectively manage disasters and protect communities across the nation.