The Commission will function as follows:

· Service Provider – Promoting its role of providing services to local authorities/communities and for that purpose, to develop programmes designed to enhance those services.

· Planning and Implementation – Ensuring the promotion and development at national level of disaster planning and management and, in co-operation with local authorities, facilitating the implementation of disaster management measures for the purpose of emergency relief and support;

· Loss reduction and Mitigation – Promoting the adoption of disaster loss reduction and mitigation policies and practices at the national and local authority level;

· Voluntary Service – The promotion and development of voluntary service as an integral aspect of disaster management;

· Training and Education – To establish and promote the development, maintenance and improvement of the tenants of disaster management training and education; and

· Permanent Staffing – Maintaining a permanent body to enhance the national capacity for disaster management services.

Responsibility for disaster management in Guyana extends to every individual, family, community, government and private sector organizations. The Civil Defence Commission coordinates the national system with these bodies and is committed to initiating and supporting the disaster management process throughout Guyana.