The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) will be hosting a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Workshop in Middle Caicos on July 25-29, 2016, at the Conch Bar Community Center. Starting from 8:30am-5:00pm with approximately fifteen (15) persons expected to receive training. This marks the 5th CERT Training hosted by the DDME, which aims to target all islands throughout the Turks and Caicos.
The purpose of this workshop, is to provide the opportunity for communities to become more resilient to natural or man-made hazards that may affect them. It is also designed to help persons protect themselves, family and their community in critical situations. Once certified as a CERT member, persons will be able to assist with non-emergency projects designed to help improve the safety of their own community.
This training program is intended to educate people about disaster preparedness for all hazards. Whilst also teaching them basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organizations and disaster medical operations.
The objectives of this workshop are to:
- Orient participants to community emergency response and disaster management theories.
- Provide participants with a refresher/overview in basic first aid and CPR.
- Train participants in light search and rescue
- Train participants in fire safety and fire suppression
- Expose participants to problem solving, briefing techniques and team-work
The DDME would like to continue to emphasize that the TCIG and DDME cannot be solely responsible for the safety of all residents and visitors of our shores. There is a need for greater public and private sector partnership, in order to build resilience and ensure the safety of all. Disaster Management is everybody’s business and if it is to be truly effective, than it must involve everyone’s input.