CAYMAN HYPERBARIC SERVICES
The Cayman Islands has a hyperbaric chamber, or recompression chamber, located at the Anthony S. Eden Hospital (formerly George Town Hospital).
The chamber is used to treat diving emergencies, specifically decompression illness (also known as ‘the bends’), and other medical conditions that can benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Cayman Hyperbaric Services has a team of 30 qualified and dedicated part-time operators and attendants to operate the recompression chamber. The unit is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on an on-call basis to treat diving emergencies and other medical issues.
Contact
t: 949-2989
e: [email protected]
w: hsa.ky
CAYMAN ISLANDS COAST GUARD
As a government agency, the Cayman Islands Coast Guard forms part of the Office of the Commissioner of Police. The duties and responsibilities of the Coast Guard include, but are not limited to:
• Search-and-rescue operations, including responding to distress calls and performing rescue missions for people and vessels in distress.
• Maritime law enforcement, including interdicting illegal activities such as drug trafficking, piracy and illegal fishing.
• Enforcement of the port security regulations, including inspecting vessels entering and leaving Cayman Islands waters, to ensure compliance with safety and security regulations.
• Environmental protection, in conjunction with the Department of Environment.
• Enforcement of the port security regulations, including inspecting vessels entering and leaving Cayman Islands waters, to ensure compliance with safety and security regulations.
• Environmental protection, in conjunction with the Department of Environment.
The Coast Guard should be contacted in case of any maritime emergency such as a distress call from a vessel in trouble, a person overboard, or an environmental incident.
Contact
t: 911 (emergency)
t: 649-7710 (general enquiries)
CAYMAN ISLANDS FIRE SERVICE
The Cayman Islands Fire Service serves all three of the Cayman Islands, operating from stations in West Bay, George Town, Frank Sound, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
They respond to structural and vehicular fires, conducting rescue operations, and providing specialised aerodrome firefighting services.
Their emergency response capabilities include inshore and inland search and rescue, medical assistance, and hazardous materials management.
They enforce fire safety standards through Fire Prevention Unit inspections and compliance, educate the public on fire prevention, and play a crucial role in hurricane preparedness.
Firefighters undergo continuous professional development to stay current with the latest techniques and technologies, ensuring effective and efficient emergency response.
The Cayman Islands Fire Service operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is led by a Chief Fire Officer.
Contact
t: 949-1188 (West Bay), 949-2499 (George Town), 947-3248 (North Side), 948-1245 (Cayman Brac), 916-6090 (Little Cayman)
e: [email protected]
CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The Meteorological Office was established in the early 1980s under the Civil Aviation Authority, with the responsibility for the monitoring of meteorological events and provision of meteorological information.
In 2010 it was officially recognised as the Cayman Islands National Weather Service, operating under the Ministry of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture.
The staff currently operates a service for 17 hours daily with a 24-hour service envisaged for the future.
The service’s operation includes an upper-air station, surface weather observations, climatology, forecasting and aviation weather briefing.
Contact
t: 945-5773 or 943-7070 ext. 5829
e: [email protected]
CAYMAN ISLANDS RED CROSS
The Red Cross is the largest volunteer-based humanitarian organisation in the world. The Cayman Islands Red Cross has approximately 200 people serving as core volunteers, with 150 people joining its efforts throughout the year. All volunteers undergo numerous training programmes to be able to offer their services to the community.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross headquarters are situated on Huldah Avenue, George Town. The building also houses their thrift store, shelter and training facilities. Its administration location is at Cayman Corporate Centre on Hospital Road.
Contact
t: 949-SHOP (7467)
e: [email protected]
e: [email protected]
CAYMAN ISLANDS REGIMENT
The Cayman Islands Regiment provides humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and emergency assistance to civil authorities in the Cayman Islands. Operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the regiment responds to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, by delivering essential supplies, medical aid and logistical support.
The regiment assists in search-and-rescue operations, infrastructure repair, and public safety measures during emergencies. As a predominantly reservist military unit, regiment members undergo extensive training in disaster response and emergency medical care to ensure they are well-prepared for various crises.
Contact
t: 640-3889
e: [email protected]
w: gov.ky/mha/ci-regiment
COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS
Community Emergency Response Teams ((CERTs) are volunteer groups trained to recognise, respond to, and help communities recover from major emergencies or disasters. They provide immediate support when professional responders might be delayed. CERT volunteers receive training in basic disaster response skills, including fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, and community vulnerability analysis.
During emergencies, CERT teams provide critical support to first responders, offer immediate assistance to victims, provide damage assessment information, and collect disaster intelligence.
The CERT programme is a partnership between Hazard Management Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands Red Cross and the Cayman Islands Fire Service. The programme is open to anyone interested in making Cayman’s communities safer and better prepared.
Contact
Hazard Management Cayman Islands
t: 945-4624
e: [email protected]
w: caymanprepared.ky
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS
The Department of Public Safety Communications is responsible for the operations and oversight of the Public Safety Communications Centre, which handles 911 calls. It provides 24-hour emergency and nonemergency call handling, emergency dispatch services, life-saving prearrival instructions, and first responder coordination and safety.
The Public Safety Communications Centre is also the nation’s tsunami warning focal point, responsible for the immediate dissemination of warnings received from the regional Tsunami Warning Centre in concert with Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
The Department of Public Safety Communications is also responsible for the National Public Safety Radio Communications System used by the islands’ public safety sector. This provides radio frequency communications system maintenance, emergency telecommunications management, seismic monitoring and incident management.
Operating within the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Public Safety Communications also oversees the Electronic Monitoring Centre, which includes the electronic monitoring of offenders and the monitoring and operation of CCTV surveillance cameras.
Contact
t: 949-9008
w: gov.ky/mha/PSC
HAZARD MANAGEMENT
Hazard Management Cayman Islands is the government agency responsible for coordinating national preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for all types of natural and man-made hazards.
Established under the Disaster Preparedness and Hazard Management Act (2019), Hazard Management serves the entire community, including residents, businesses and government entities, by ensuring a structured and effective approach to disaster risk reduction and emergency management.
Hazard Management oversees the National Emergency Notification System (NENS), or the NENS app, which provides timely alerts and critical information to the public during emergencies.
The agency also manages the Disaster Fund, which supports recovery efforts following major events.
As the coordinating agency for disaster management, Hazard Management works closely with local, regional and international partners to conduct training, facilitate exercises, maintain public shelters and build community resilience.
Through strategic planning and active engagement, Hazard Management plays a vital role in safeguarding lives, property and the continuity of national operations.
Contact
t: 945-4624
e: [email protected]
w: caymanprepared.gov.ky
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
The Ministry of Health aims to advance the health and well-being of the people of the Cayman Islands through strategic policy development, impactful programmes, and proactive services that foster lasting change.
Its mission is to build a healthier, more resilient community by enhancing access to quality healthcare, promoting wellness initiatives, and advocating for policies that protect, empower, and uplift individuals.
As the central authority for health governance, the ministry oversees the strategic direction and performance of three key entities: the Health Services Authority, the Department of Health Regulatory Services, and the Mosquito Research & Control Unit which protects against mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Contact
t: 244-2377
e: [email protected]
w: gov.ky/health-wellness
MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE RESILIENCY AND WELLNESS
The Ministry is responsible for the strategic development of programmes and policies to ensure the Cayman Islands is best placed to solve current challenges and meet present needs without compromising future generations.
Its mission is to cultivate a lasting legacy of sustainability by achieving environmental, social, and economic balance to make the lives of current and future generations better.
Established in 2021, priorities include addressing threats posed by climate change through the Climate Change Policy 2024-2050; supporting the transition to renewable energy through the National Energy Policy 2024- 2045; programmes designed to save energy and reduce the cost of living; and facilitating the development of a framework to enable holistic, balanced decision-making across the three pillars of sustainable development. Among its strategic goals are building capacity to anticipate climate risks, informing and educating the public about climate risks and impacts of climate change, encouraging the sustainable use of natural resources and preserving the natural environment.
Contact
t: 244-2488
e: [email protected]
w: gov.ky/sustainability
NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) serves as the central hub for coordinating the response for disaster management, encompassing mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
The NEOC is coordinated by Hazard Management Cayman Islands and is located at the airport fire station. It is equipped with radios, telephones, computers, satellite telephones, maps and charts to assist in the response process.
Government agencies, nongovernmental organisations, private entities and personnel involved in the national response mechanism assemble at the NEOC to coordinate and direct the response efforts.
Hazard Management activates the operations centre when there is a perceived national threat or a need for a coordinated national response to an emergency or disaster.
Contact
t: 949-6555 (available when activated)
PUBLIC HEALTH
As part of the Health Services Authority, the Public Health department’s remit is to promote, protect and improve the health and safety of the people of the Cayman Islands.
Public Health programmes include:
• Health advice and vaccines for international travellers
• School health, including primary care, health assessments, vision and hearing tests etc.
• Nutrition and dietary counselling clinics
• Child health, including growth and development monitoring
• Communicable disease screening
• Disease control programmes, including surveillance, immunisations (adults and children)
• Special programmes relating to genetics and sexual health
• Smoking cessation programme
Contact
t: 949-8600
w: hsa.ky/public-health
ROYAL CAYMAN ISLANDS POLICE SERVICE
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is a single, national police service with a unified command structure. It is an unarmed service, with an armed response capability, that is mandated by statute to deliver the full range of police services across the Cayman Islands and its territorial waters.
Officers and personnel work in a variety of roles, including emergency response, road and marine safety and enforcement, child protection, criminal investigation, intelligence, drug and firearm interdiction, border security, community outreach, finance and administration, and many others.
Contact
t: 911 for emergencies
Check website for district police station phone numbers.
w: rcips.ky
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