“I leave Montserrat confident that your fire officers are well trained in Emergency Medical First Response,” Chief Instructor Assistant Chief Modestus John-Baptiste said Friday.
He was speaking at the closing of the Pre-Hospital Care and Emergency Service Response Course funded by the Governor’s Office.
For one month more than 20 officers, nurses and members of the Montserrat Red Cross participated in the intense programme which covered Basic Life Support (BLS), Emergency Medical Response (EMR), and International Trauma Life Support (ITLS).
Hon. Minister of Health Delmaude Ryan encouraged the officers to stay in continuous practice with the new skills they’ve learned. Governor’s Office Head Tony Bates said the ultimate wish is that these skills are never needed but it is good to know that they are now people capable to deliver this level of emergency care on Montserrat.
The Chief Instructor on the course was Assistant Chief Modestus John-Baptiste of St. Croix. He shared that the course had been intense but among other things, the officers successfully learned cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), proper lifting of patients, the latest techniques in ITLS. He said he leaves confident that the officers will deliver their knowledge to better help the community. A second phase will continue in January 2016.
Fire officer Kenrick Hackett was the Most Outstanding student and received a First Responder badge of honour from the Hon. Minister of Health Delmaude Ryan.
Fire officers Tennyson Darroux and Erwin Mitchel of Dominica received awards for Exceptional Performance. Although on island only for the course they both worked regular shifts with the local fire service. Mitchel in his vote of thanks said it has been a “truly uplifting experience” and he appreciated the “dignity and brotherhood” which he enjoyed while learning with his fellow officers here.
Local Fire Chief Andre West said 22 successfully completed EMR and BLS and 16 officers are now trained in ITLS. The officers are also expected to train others on island in the same techniques to ensure continuity of service.
The Montserrat Fire Service currently fields an average of 300 ambulance calls annually, which increases by about 40% each year the fire chief noted.
