The National Disaster Committee (NDC) has overall responsibility for analyzing the country's vulnerability to hazards. The NDC also develops prevention, preparedness, response plans and mechanisms to deal with these hazards.

The NDC comprises of representatives from all the agencies of Government, private sector, non-government and voluntary organisations. They assist with disaster functions before, during and after an emergency.

Members of this committee are designated coordinators and have responsibility for specific functions in the various phases of the Disaster Cycle.
Current membership of the NDC is as follows: -

Central Emergency Relief Organization, BNB Building, Cr James & Coleridge Street, Bridgetown, Barbados Copyright © 2004 CERO. All rights reserved.

POST	FUNCTION
Chairman CERO	- Chairman National Disaster Committee
Director of Emergency Services	- Nation's Disaster Coordinator/Secretary
Director Statistical Services	- Statistics/Damage Assessment Coordinator
Chief Education Officer	- Emergency Shelter Coordinator
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture	- Food and General Supplies Coordinator
Chief Medical Officer	- Medical and Public Health Coordinator
Chief Welfare Officer	-Relief and Welfare Coordinator
Chief Information Officer	-Information, Media Liaison Coordinator
Chief Technical Officer, Ministry of Public Works	-Transportation, Public Utilities and Heavy Duty Equipment Coordinator
Commission of Police	-Law Enforcement Coordinator
Chief Housing Planner	-Relief Housing Coordinator
Chief Community Development Officer	-Voluntary Agencies Coordinator
Airport Manager	-Airport Disaster Coordinator
General Manager Port Authority	-Port Disaster Coordinator
Barbados Chamber of Commerce	-Private Sector Coordinator
Director Meteorological Services	-Bulletins and Warnings
Chief of Staff Barbados Defense Force	-Complementary Services Coordinator
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs	-Liaise with International Agencies
Chief Town Planner	-Mitigation Programme Coordinator
Director Coastal Zone Management Unit	-Coastal Zone Management Activities
Chief Fire Officer	-Fire Control, Rescue and Evacuation
Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office	-Administration Overview
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance	-Financial Policy, allocation and release of funds
Commandant, St. John Ambulance Brigade	-First Aid Training and Response
Barbados Red Cross Society	-First Aid Training, Distribution, Relief and Response

Duties:

1. To ensure the formulation of Agency and Sectoral Disaster Plans

2. To review and approve National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans for all hazards.

3. To conduct simulations and drills in order to test and upgrade disaster preparedness plans.

4. To promote the study, control and mitigation of disasters and the evaluation of operational research on emergency situations.