Regional emergency responders sharpen crisis skills

Emergency responders from across the Caribbean have sharpened their skills in the handling of mass casualty incidents, having completed intensive training in Barbados.

The course was organised by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in collaboration with the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The closing ceremony took place at the Barbados Defence Force Paragon base.

A total of 56 participants were trained, 35 from Barbados, 18 from 11 CARPHA member states, and three CARPHA staff members.

The training focused on mass casualty management and the operations of emergency medical teams, preparing participants to respond effectively in high-pressure, disaster-related scenarios.

At the closing ceremony on Saturday at the BDF’s Paragon Base, Chief of Staff Brigadier Carlos Lovell praised the professionalism and unity shown by participants.

“This programme has strengthened our collective readiness to respond to emergencies and mass casualty events across the region,” Brigadier Lovell said. “Your commitment, professionalism, and collaboration over the past six days are a testament to the resilience, the unity, and the Caribbean spirit that define our emergency response agencies.”

He noted the course’s broader aim of boosting regional confidence in emergency preparedness and commended CARPHA’s continued role in strengthening public health security.

Barbadian participant Shanelle Watson described the programme as mentally and physically demanding but invaluable.

“The first four days welcomed me into an environment that imparted a wealth of information in a simplified way, sparked great discussion, and caused me to look at situations with critical thinking at the forefront,” she said.

Watson also reflected on the challenges of operating in the elements. “I will not forget the mental fatigue and the physical exhaustion that we all experienced, as we are not accustomed to working for long periods in the sun and strong winds.”

David Wilson of the Cayman Islands said the training was relevant to the real world.

“At any point in time, we can have an event similar to the one practised today, such as an earthquake,” he said. “If we are deployed, I believe we will perform well together.” (STT)