#BTFocus – BDF better prepared for disasters . . . Massy Foundation donates $200,000 worth of gear

Massy Foundation has donated BDS $200, 000 in equipment to the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) Field Medical Facility.

Today, during a presentation at the Officers Mess, at St Ann’s Fort, Massy Foundation Director David Neilands, handed over equipment in support of the BDF Type II Field Medical Facility.

It consisted of two fit-for-purpose medical tents which can withstand category 2-3 winds, 20 Complete Medical Treatment Beds, 1, 120 gallons per hour water purifier, two 50 Amps electrical distribution kits, one double-basin sink and five storage cases, to BDF’s Chief of Staff Colonel Glyne Grannum.

Neilands said the Foundation considers the donation a tremendous benefit to Barbados and its Caribbean neighbours in times of disaster response and major health crises. He said the Foundation was considering fulfilling the request almost a year after the catastrophic devastation from two category 5 hurricanes in parts of the Caribbean.

“As I stand here today, I am cognizant that we are already well into the 2020 hurricane season, and if for no other reason, this presentation of equipment is timely. However, I want to acknowledge the donors who would have given so generously in order to make the Type 1 facility a reality, namely the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and United States Southern Command, among others. As a result, the Massy Foundation is now able to build on this foundation with this donation today.”

Neilands congratulated Team BDF for accomplishing the Emergency Medical Team Classification, eleven months after registering with the World Health Organization (WHO). He noted that BDF is the first Caribbean team to be formed and the second such military team in the world.

“Indeed, the BDF has much to be proud of as it has done well to achieve Type 1 status in such an ambitious timeframe. I am sure this is only the first step, as maintaining this Type 1 status will be paramount. But if that wasn’t a challenge in itself, the BDF is already pursuing the establishment of a WHO classified Type 2 Emergency Medical Team. We recognized that as the BDF moves to this new classification, additional equipment will also be required,” he said.

Meanwhile, Colonel Grannum thanked the Foundation for its donation to assist with the Facility, which is now celebrating two years. He said that initially, when the project started, the BDF was unsure what type of crisis it would be handling. But Grannum reported that the Facility has been put into action to assist with COVID-19 pandemic.

“The members of the unit have worked very hard to ensure that they can contribute to the public health and safety of Barbados. This is really about saying thanks to the Massy Foundation for coming on board early, signaling their intent and being absolutely invaluable in their partnership and in their determination to empower the Force and to help to bring the Field Medical Facility to life and to where it is today in its development and maturity,” Colonel Grannum said. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb