CFE-DMHA supports ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila
09.04.2014
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – The Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DMHA) supported the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) for Cross-Sectoral Security Cooperation on Bio-Preparedness and Disaster Response Workshop August 26 – 28 in Manila, Philippines.
Lloyd Puckett, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear analyst, and Roderick Macalintal, an information technology lead specialist, both with CFE-DMHA, helped support the ARF’s objective of building national bio-preparedness guidelines. The guidelines directly support combating weapons of mass destruction and nuclear defense conventions and treaties established throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
“The event built upon several ASEAN bio-preparedness workshops previously completed and those best business practices identified among ARF events from 2009 to 2013,” said Puckett. “It also facilitated discussion on the way ahead for follow-on events in 2015 and beyond.”
Attendees of the Philippines-U.S. hosted event included more than 150 individuals from 18 ARF nations including countering weapons of mass destruction policy officers, civilian and military law enforcement officers, civilian-military defense officials, and healthcare, public health, agriculture and veterinary sector representatives.
"We are getting closer to operationalizing, merging and having a more coordinated biological regional response effort," said Loi Garcia, superintendent for the Philippine National Police.
In addition to providing biological preparedness subject matter expertise, CFE-DMHA staff also facilitated tabletop exercises, developed and oversaw exercise group out briefs, managed the All Partners Access Network (APAN) ARF Bio-Preparedness Community of Interest, and provided IT support.
The guidelines developed will be presented at the next ARF ministerial meeting, and a bio-preparedness line of effort will be introduced into a ARF disaster response exercise in fiscal year 2015.
Roderick Macalintal (center), an information technology lead specialist for the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, discusses presentation details with Jim Welsh, who supports the Strategic Plans and Policy Division at U.S. Pacific Command, and Dr. Richard Love, a professor and senior research fellow at National Defense University, during the ASEAN Regional Forum for Cross-Sectoral Security Cooperation on Bio-Preparedness and Disaster Response Workshop in Manila, Philippines, August 26. (Gregorio Dantes Jr./ Pacific Press Agency).
Lloyd Puckett (right), a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear analyst for the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, and Loi Garcia, superintendent for the Philippine National Police, discuss the advantages of collaboration among ASEAN nations during the ASEAN Regional Forum for Cross-Sectoral Security Cooperation on Bio-Preparedness and Disaster Response Workshop in Manila, Philippines, August 28. (Gregorio Dantes Jr./ Pacific Press Agency).