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Live CCTV footage, weather tracking, emergency calls and... Pot Noodles?
Police Chief Robin Smith gave Express a behind-the-scenes account of the situation room set up to co-ordinate the Island's emergency response to Storm Ciarán...
As midnight struck on Thursday, just as the storm was starting to take hold, a 'Major Incident' was declared in the island.
It was then that an 'Incident Room' was stood up in Police HQ to start coordinating efforts to respond to what was going to be a treacherous night.
Pictured: A member of Fire and Rescue staff keeping track of key areas affected.
It would prove its utility within just 90 minutes of the Major Incident beginning, with 15 people having already been moved to temporary accommodation after the storm devastated their homes.
Led by police, the room included key partners within all of the emergency services, island utilities and Government.
It was their job to help coordinate those on the ground - working out where the need was, and responding as soon as possible.
"Imagine what you might have seen in some sort of Hollywood movie," Police Chief Robin Smith said of the scene.
Pictured: Police Chief Robin Smith said it was like a "Hollywood move" inside the Incident Room.
"There are assigned desks for assigned people, including police, fire and ambulance – as well as a number of the government departments," he added.
Not only were the team keeping a close eye on the weather, but looking at what havoc it was wreaking outside – and whether any islanders were in danger.
"CCTV is put straight onto very large TV monitors so we can look at it live, we have access to weather maps so we could see the storm tracking up and through towards us," said Mr Smith.
They also relied on direct reports from the public.
"We put in an additional telephone number with four people to answer it, we then increased that to eight."
With gusts steadily making their way up to 100mph in the early hours, "it was noisy," Mr Smith said.
"There was a lot going on as we began to respond, particularly as the storm began to hit."
Police Chief Robin Smith said Islanders have "remarkable resilience."
Mr Smith noted that more than 1,000 calls came in across the helpline and emergency numbers throughout the night.
Mr Smith acknowledged that, like an army, even the police "march on their stomachs".
"[With] all of our staff in the situation room - and indeed upwards of 40 police officers on duty as well as dozens of fire service staff etcetera - if people have the right amount of food that gives them energy."
In the Incident Room and keeping islanders informed on social media throughout the evening was Deputy Chief Officer Scott Hall.
The Situation Room is now in full operation at SOJP HQ managing the multiagency response to the effects of Storm Ciarán. As Islanders would expect a fantastic effort by all agencies, government departments and Honorary Police colleagues. All working through the night. pic.twitter.com/TP0jTHLZfF
— Scott Hall (@SHScottHall) November 2, 2023
Eagle-eyed islanders might have noticed an array of snacks and drinks in the background of his photos – including coffee and Pot Noodles.
"I'm not sure of the adequacy of a 'Pot Noodle' but maybe it filled a spot at 2am," Mr Smith joked.
The team were also lucky enough to receive a generous donation which provided a sugar hit.
Pictured: Staff in the situation room helped co-ordinate the emergency response to Storm Ciaran. (GoJ/SOJP)
"Bruno's Bakery donated some cakes [to police headquarters] in the morning which was very generous of them," said Mr Smith.
"But isn't that so typical of our island?" he continued.
"People look after each other and I'm sure islanders have gone to look for their neighbours and check on people's welfare – because that is what islanders do.
"They have remarkable resilience."
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