Muscat – The national plan for managing emergency situations has been updated with authorities enhancing coordination and readiness across essential services, officials said following a meeting of the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) on Thursday.
The announcement was made during the committee’s second meeting, chaired by Dr Mansoor bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation and Head of the Basic Services Sector at NCEM. The meeting brought together representatives from key sub-sectors, including roads, electricity, telecommunications, water, wastewater, energy, fuel and waste management.
Hinai stressed the need to enhance preparedness across sectors and reinforce coordination among all concerned entities to ensure an effective and timely response during emergencies. He said proactive planning based on comprehensive risk assessments is essential, alongside regular updates to business continuity and operational plans in line with approved emergency response frameworks.
He also underscored the importance of continued field exercises for emergency response teams, noting that drills play a critical role in testing capabilities, identifying gaps and improving overall readiness. Ensuring the availability of resources and resilient supply chains to maintain essential services during crises were identified as key priorities.
The committee reviewed progress made since its previous meeting and assessed the extent to which entities had implemented earlier decisions. Discussions focused on improving integration among sub-sectors to deliver a coordinated, organised and efficient response during emergency situations.
Participants also examined mechanisms for wider participation in national emergency exercises organised by the NCEM and its affiliated sectors, with emphasis on strengthening interoperability and communication between agencies.
The meeting concluded with several decisions, including the adoption of a unified framework for communication and information-sharing among basic services sub-sectors during emergencies. The committee also approved updates to the national emergency management plan for the Basic Services Sector to reflect recent developments and align it with the sector’s emergency management policy.
In addition, members agreed to restructure sectoral working committees and establish clearer coordination mechanisms among sub-sectors. The committee stressed the importance of securing alternative power sources at critical facilities, including telecommunications sites, water and wastewater plants, fuel stations and cooking gas outlets, to reduce the impact of power disruptions on essential services.
Other decisions included updates to the joint operational framework and the sector’s media communication plan, clarifying roles and responsibilities among sub-sectors and supporting entities. The committee also approved the establishment of sub-sector committees at the governorate level to improve preparedness and emergency response.
