While trained teams, stocked supplies, and clear protocols are essential, without a central system guiding the response, even the best-prepared Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) can falter. 

That’s where the Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) training steps in — equipping participants with the skills to manage emergency responses effectively at local, national, and regional levels. 

Hosted by the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre (NCCTRC) in Darwin, this year’s EMTCC program featured an international faculty of seasoned professionals who once sat in the participants’ seats. 

Among them were Sharin Vile from Vanuatu, Dr Garry Nou from Papua New Guinea and Dr Tatsuhiko Kubo from Japan. Each has transitioned from learner to leader, now sharing hard-earned lessons from real-world deployments. 

Funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the NCCTRC through its Regional Engagement Program, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation headquarters and WHO Western Pacific Region, the EMTCC training has been tailored for the Indo-Pacific. 

The program ensures that content and exercises reflect the unique health systems, challenges, and response settings across the Western Pacific region and Timor-Leste. 

Since completing EMTCC training in 2019, Sharin Vile has become a driving force in Vanuatu’s emergency response system. As Emergency Response Officer at the Ministry of Health, she helped embed the EMT initiative nationally, ensuring international teams complement local capacity. 

“We had to set up the Reception and Departure Centre for incoming EMTs and work closely with airport and port authorities,” she said. “It took time and negotiation, but once established, everything ran smoother — we could verify teams, manage arrivals, and keep operations organised.” 

Her experience underscores a key lesson: “We can have the best plans, but without coordination and collaboration, it doesn’t work.” 

For Dr Garry Nou, an emergency physician and head of PNG’s EMT, the COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point. After serving as clinical lead for the national response, he activated PNG’s EMTCC for the first time, coordinating both national and international teams. 

“Suddenly, I was inside the coordination cell — debriefing teams, tasking people, analysing data, managing operations,” he said. “It was surreal but fulfilling.” 

Returning to Darwin as faculty, marked a full-circle moment for him. 

“EMTCC training is about understanding how preparation impacts outcomes.” 

Garry also highlighted PNG’s recent participation in WHO’s pilot Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Disasters training, integrating psychological first aid into deployment courses. 

“A prepared team is not just operationally ready — it’s mentally resilient,” he said. 

Dr Tatsuhiko Kubo brings an analytical edge shaped by nine international deployments with Japan’s Disaster Relief Team. His focus? Data-driven coordination. 

“Even in an emergency, real-time data guides decisions,” he said. “It strengthens coordination and supports local authorities under pressure.” 

From Vanuatu to Mozambique, Turkey, Gaza and Ukraine, Tatsuhiko has seen firsthand the value of mapping stakeholders and managing information. 

“Local teams face immense pressure,” he said. “Understanding their challenges helps EMTCC provide the right support.” TQ