BVI Responders Complete Critical Emergency Training
Emergency personnel across multiple agencies in the Virgin Islands have completed a comprehensive three-day training programme to enhance disaster preparedness and major incident response. Supported at no cost through the UK Health Security Agency, the initiative focused on trauma care, triage, and multi-agency coordination. Health officials highlighted the importance of cross-departmental collaboration in safeguarding the Territory during crises.
Emergency response personnel across the British Virgin Islands have completed specialized training designed to strengthen the Territory's disaster preparedness and medical response capabilities during major incidents. The three-day initiative was organized through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), along with other key local response agencies.
Provided at no cost to the Territory via the UKHSA Overseas Territories Programme, the training concentrated on Major Incident Management and First Response Emergency Care. Throughout the course, participants sharpened essential frontline skills, including emergency coordination, resource management, patient assessment, trauma care, and triage protocols.
The exercise aimed to ensure that all responding bodies operate under a unified, efficient framework when handling mass casualty events or severe disasters. Ronald Georges highlighted the importance of the exercise in reinforcing territorial readiness. He noted that major incidents require swift, coordinated action across multiple agencies and that the training offered a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals and emergency responders to learn from internationally recognized experts.
The training cohort brought together representatives from several essential services, including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service, Department of Disaster Management, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), and the Virgin Islands Airports Authority, alongside BVIHSA staff.
BVIHSA Emergency and Disaster Manager Rodney Brathwaite emphasized that the collaborative approach demonstrated during the programme is vital for building a resilient emergency response system capable of serving the community effectively. The sessions were led by Tim Atherton, a Tactical Incident Commander and National Inter-Agency Liaison Officer with the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust.
The training was further supported by Professor Ian Cumming, the UK Ambassador for Health to the Overseas Territories and Chairman of the Trust. The Ministry of Health and Social Development noted that it remains committed to safeguarding public well-being by maintaining strong international partnerships and fostering continuous professional development for frontline responders.
Primary source: BVI Government