The Ministry of National Security, in conjunction with Government House,  this week is assisting with the facilitation of a significant multi-agency training initiative aimed at strengthening Bermuda’s preparedness for major incidents and emergencies. Senior leaders from across government and partner organisations are participating in Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) training for senior leaders in various departments and security agencies.

The training is being delivered by a specialist team from the College of Policing, the professional body for policing in England and Wales, and has been specifically tailored for Overseas Territories.

The programme focuses on strategic-level leadership and decision-making during major incidents, ensuring that senior leaders are equipped to establish clear command structures, shared situational awareness, and coordinated responses during times of crisis.

Senior leaders from a broad cross-section of organisations are taking part in the training, representing agencies with critical roles during emergencies, including the Bermuda Police Service, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, the Ministry of Health, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bermuda Customs Department, the Maritime Operations Centre, Skyport, and the Department of Immigration.

The course officially opened with remarks from His Excellency the Governor and the Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, with both emphasising the importance of strategic preparedness and cross-agency collaboration in safeguarding Bermuda.

In his remarks, Minister Weeks emphasised that Bermuda’s ability to manage serious and complex incidents depends on strong leadership and coordination across agencies, noting that “the range of expertise in the room reflects the reality of how Bermuda responds when faced with major incidents that cannot be managed by any one organisation acting alone.”

He highlighted that the training is designed to improve leadership at the highest level, with a focus on shared responsibility, structured decision-making, and collective accountability.

Minister Weeks also pointed to Bermuda’s real-world experience in managing incidents that demand strategic coordination, including severe weather events, major maritime incidents, large-scale fires, serious road incidents, and complex security situations.

He noted that as a small island, Bermuda’s vulnerabilities are amplified, with disruptions at the airport, within the maritime environment, or to critical infrastructure having immediate island-wide consequences.

“The challenge during a major incident is not only the operational response,” Minister Weeks said, “but the ability of senior leaders to establish shared situational awareness, assess risk collectively, and set a clear strategic direction from the outset.”

He added that public confidence, economic stability, and national security are closely linked, placing a premium on preparedness at the strategic level.

The MAGIC programme provides scenario-based training that allows participants to examine realistic incidents they could face in Bermuda, sharpening their ability to make coordinated decisions before, during, and after a major emergency. 

Equally important, the training supports relationship-building among agencies, reinforcing trust, understanding of roles, and effective communication under pressure.

Minister Weeks encouraged participants to engage fully in the programme, noting that “when responses work well, it is often because the strategic thinking has already been done in settings like this.”

He concluded that the training would augment Bermuda’s collective readiness and the ability of agencies to protect lives, the environment, and national stability.

The Ministry of National Security said the training reflects the Government’s continued commitment to preparedness, collaboration, and ensuring that Bermuda’s emergency and security agencies are ready to respond decisively and cohesively to major incidents.