OEA - CP - Resolución CP CSH 2374

PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OEA/Ser.G

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES CP/CSH-2374/26 5 February 2026

COMMITTEE ON HEMISPHERIC SECURITY Original: Spanish

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SECURITY

IMPLEMENTATION OF MANDATES RELATED TO EMERGENCY AND SECURITY

SYSTEMS

(To be presented at the Committee meeting scheduled for February 12, 2026) This report is submitted in compliance with the provisions established in the Structure for the consideration of substantive issues during regular meetings (2025-2026) , document

CP/CSH/INF.602/25.

Contents MANDATES..........................................................................................................................................1 GTS-SES................................................................................................................................................1 CHAIR................................................................................................................................................1 ACTIVITIES ......................................................................................................................................1 Survey............................................................................................................................................1 Mental Health...............................................................................................................................2 Drones............................................................................................................................................3 Celebration of Inter-American Single Emergency Number Day.............................................5MANDATES AG/RES. 3031 (LIV-O/24)

36. To urge member states to consider adopting a single emergency number, and for those that already have an integrated system to continue working on improving the quality of service and continuity of operations amid service interruption threats.

AG/RES. 2986 (LII-O/22)

19. To encourage member states to consult and make use of the resources prepared by the Subsidiary Technical Working Group on Emergency and Security Systems, under the coordination of DPS, and to participate in future hemispheric exercises for the systematization and sharing of experiences regarding emergency assistance and response.

23. To urge member states’ emergency and security sector actors (operators, dispatchers, supervisors, first responders, and other related emergency institutions), crime observatories, and crime analysts to join and participate in their respective Inter-American Communities.

AG/RES. 2950 (L-O/20)

41. To urge emergency and security systems to join the virtual community that was specially created for them and to share useful information for operating and managing those systems.

GTS-SES CHAIR In the framework of MISPA VIII, held in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, on

41. To urge emergency and security systems to join the virtual community that was specially created for them and to share useful information for operating and managing those systems.

GTS-SES CHAIR In the framework of MISPA VIII, held in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, on July 16 and 17, 2025, the delegations present approved the candidacy of the 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System of the Dominican Republic to serve as chair of the Subsidiary Technical Group on Emergency and Security Systems (GTS-SES). This marked the first transition of the chair of the GTS-SES from Ecuador’s ECU 911 Integrated Security Service to the Dominican Republic’s 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System. ACTIVITIES This report presents the actions of the Department of Public Security in its role as Technical Secretariat of the GTS-SES, in accordance with OAS mandates to strengthen emergency and security systems in the region. Survey Upon assuming the chair of the GTS-SES, the Dominican Republic’s 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System requested the Technical Secretariat to circulate a survey among the members with a single question: “What are the three priority issues that you consider should be addressed in the framework of the Subsidiary Technical Group on Emergency and Security Systems? (List the three topics concisely, numbering them from 1 to 3)” Order of priorityResponses21 2 3 Technological modernization and information systems x Addressing emergency number misuse x Expansion of technology coverage and rural connectivity x Improving emergency services management and quality x Effective emergency response to gender-based violence and sexual diversity issues x Inclusion and accessibility in emergency care for persons with disabilities. x Technological advances x Operator training x

Vulnerable populations x Even with limited participation, the responses received provide consistent signals regarding emerging priorities for emergency and security systems in the region. Modernization and technological advances received two mentions as first-level priorities, confirming their importance for the members of the Group. This input was taken into account by the Dominican Republic’s 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System in proposing a work agenda for 2026 ahead of the organization of the second meeting of the GTS-SES. Looking ahead, it would be advisable to consider the use of brief surveys each time a country the GTS-SES chair. This streamlined mechanism makes it possible to gather direct input from members, identify their priorities, and ensure that the Group’s work agenda is more closely aligned with the needs and expectations of the region’s emergency systems, thereby strengthening the relevance and effectiveness of its activities. Mental Health One of the first activities of the GTS-SES with the 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System of the Dominican Republic as chair was to follow up on and continue the implementation of the pending recommendations contained in the Recommendations adopted at the first meeting of the GTS-SES, held virtually on May 6 and 7, 2021. In this context, the 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System of the Dominican Republic focused on mental health (fourth recommendation). Strengthening the mental health of emergency system personnel is critical not only for the individual well-being of those who respond to critical situations, but also for the efficient and sustainable functioning of the emergency system itself. A team with appropriate psychosocial support is better able to maintain focus, make timely decisions, and manage stress effectively, thereby reducing operational errors and ensuring service continuity. In addition, having trained and emotionally prepared personnel enables systems to respond appropriately and safely to mental health-related emergencies, provide timely care to affected individuals, and strengthen institutional resilience in the face of complex situations.

At present, there are no minimum regional guidelines for mental health training in terms of content, instructional hours, recognized courses, or accredited institutions for their delivery. Nor are there recommendations for the early detection and treatment of stress, anxiety, emotional crises, or occupational burnout. In addition, emergency and security systems lack minimum guidance, grounded in standards or evidence, on the services, treatments, and support that should be offered to personnel.- 3All of the above demonstrates that a significant mental health gap persists in the region, both in emergency response and in the care of emergency system personnel themselves. On the occasion of Inter-American Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day, and within the framework of resolution AG/RES. 3036 (LV-O/25), “Addressing the Critical Mental Health Crisis in the Americas” (AG/doc.5891/25 rev. 1), adopted by the General Assembly on June 26, 2025, the GTS-SES organized, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a Regional Workshop on Capacity Building for Mental Health Emergencies. The Workshop was held virtually on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. EDT and was structured in two blocks. The first block consisted of a training segment that addressed three topics:

1. Mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies.

2. Basic psychosocial skills and psychological first aid.

3. Self-care for front-line emergency responders.

The second block featured a presentation by the 911 National Emergency Assistance and Security System of the Dominican Republic, which shared its experience in emergency care related to mental disorders, as well as the actions and strategies being implemented to support personnel and protect and promote mental health. The presentations, the workshop recording, and a list of resources on the subject were made available to all participants and members of the GTS-SES through the Inter-American Community on Emergency and Security Systems. A total of 177 people participated. Most participants connected from the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica and, to a lesser extent, from Mexico and Uruguay. The activities carried out in the area of mental health constituted an initial and incipient first

Emergency and Security Systems. A total of 177 people participated. Most participants connected from the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica and, to a lesser extent, from Mexico and Uruguay. The activities carried out in the area of mental health constituted an initial and incipient first step; however, in the absence of minimum guidelines, common standards, and regional reference frameworks, there is a clear need to move toward more systematic approaches that integrate training, the prevention of occupational burnout, and psychosocial support for emergency system personnel. Strengthening these capacities is essential not only to protect the well-being of personnel, but also to improve responses to mental health emergencies and to ensure continuity and quality of service to the public. Drones Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) have come to play an essential role in emergency response operations, given their versatility and the wide range of applications they offer. They are currently used in search and rescue operations; forest and structural fire monitoring; traffic monitoring; logistical support and the transport of supplies; preliminary situation assessments prior to the deployment of personnel; crowd control; and post-event damage assessment, among other uses. Based on the responses received to the two PSAPs editions, in Latin America and the Caribbean, of the 23 entities that participated, 17 reported using drones in emergency response. Of those 17 entities:  in two cases the drones are used directly and exclusively by the call center or PSAP.  In five entities, drones are employed by both the PSAP and the response organizations that make up the emergency service.- 4 -  In ten cases, drones are used exclusively by response organizations and not by the PSAP; within this group, in five cases the police are the sole institution using this technology. These results reflect a growing, albeit still heterogeneous, adoption of drones in the region and underscore the importance of strengthening inter-institutional coordination mechanisms to optimize

their deployment and avoid duplication or operational interference. Against this backdrop, the National Emergency and Security Assistance System 911 of the Dominican Republic, with the support of the Department of Public Security as Technical Secretariat of the GTS-SES, led the organization of a virtual discussion on the use of drones in emergency response. The objective was to contribute to the creation or strengthening of drone programs, ensuring their operational integration and their adaptation to the regulatory frameworks in force in each country. The discussion was held virtually on Wednesday, December 2, and was structured around two panels. The first panel focused on governance, regulation, and institutional maturity of the drone programs and a second panel focused on the drone programs in emergency systems: capabilities, uses, and available resources. A total of 176 people participated. The vast majority of participants connected from the Dominican Republic, followed to a lesser extent by Panama, Guatemala, and Uruguay, with limited participation from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay. In addition to the virtual discussion, a toolbox comprising six resources was developed:

1. Glossary: A reference document containing definitions of key terms used in the drone industry and their application in emergency management.

2. Drone Evaluation Matrix: A tool designed to compare, analyze, and select drones by aligning identified operational needs with the technical characteristics and functionalities offered by different available models.

3. Flight management software selection criteria: A document that sets out the criteria and key characteristics that software for the planning, management, registration, and control of drone flights should meet.

4. Flight registration form: A tool to document the conditions, characteristics, and results of drone flights for purposes of traceability, analysis, and continuous improvement.

5. Drone program maturity self-assessment: A tool to assess the maturity level of a drone program based on approved dimensions and categories. Its application facilitates the objective identification of strengths and opportunities for improvement.

6. Directory of Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Drones: A document developed for emergency and security systems to record information on the drones they use. It includes details on manufacturers, suppliers or distributors, and specific data on the models deployed.

This toolbox will be subject to review by the region’s emergency systems, which will also be invited to complete a questionnaire with a view to producing a document on the status of drone programs that identifies progress, gaps, experiences, and lessons learned to be shared among the members of the GTS-SES. The work carried out on the use of drones confirms their growing incorporation into emergency response, albeit with heterogeneous levels of development and varying degrees of institutional5integration. In light of this situation, the toolbox and complementary resources developed are expected to contribute to leveling capabilities. At the same time, there is a need to move toward common frameworks for governance, interoperability, and interagency coordination in order to optimize drone deployment and enhance their effectiveness in emergency management. Celebration of Inter-American Single Emergency Number Day In the framework of MISPA VII, held in Quito, Ecuador, in 2019, the Ministers Responsible for Public Security in the Americas recommended establishing February 11 of each year as InterAmerican Single Emergency Number Day. Based on that recommendation, the GTS-SES, with the support of the Department of Public Security, has marked that day annually since 2021. Inter-American Single Emergency Number Day provides an opportunity to recognize and highlight the work of those who deliver an essential public service. It also raises awareness of the importance of having a single emergency number, promotes its responsible use, and underscores the need to move toward integrated response systems. In addition, this commemoration offers an opportunity to report on progress achieved and to outline future challenges and objectives. The activities carried out have included communication campaigns, events, webinars, and

workshops aimed at both emergency systems and the general public. Emergency systems have participated in the commemoration with varying levels of involvement and through diverse communication and awareness-raising initiatives. In previous editions, the communication strategy focused on user testimonials; sharing the experiences of operators, dispatchers, and first responders; promoting the responsible use of the emergency number; disseminating key achievements and objectives of the systems; and highlighting the well-being and mental health of emergency personnel. In the most recent edition, one of the agreed lines of communication emphasized the need to report emergencies immediately, before recording videos or taking photographs, thereby reinforcing the importance of a timely response. Across the different editions, fluctuations have been observed both in the number of participating systems and in the intensity of the activities carried out. The highest level of participation was recorded in 2023; however, this variability indicates that Inter-American Single Emergency Number Day has not yet been fully institutionalized as a priority date for a significant number of emergency systems in the region. In this context, it is timely to reinforce efforts to consolidate Inter-American Single Emergency Number Day as a regional reference date. Doing so would contribute not only to increasing the visibility of the work of emergency systems, but also to promoting common standards, good practices, and consistent messages to the public. Its progressive institutionalization could become a strategic tool to strengthen the responsible use of emergency services and to advance toward increasingly integrated and resilient systems in the Americas.