Public Officers Complete Ecat Advanced First-Aid Course
More than 45 public officers from across the Virgin Islands completed the Emergency Care and Treatment (ECAT) Advanced First Aid Training Course held from 13 to 24 April 2026, strengthening the Territory's emergency response capacity. The two one-week cohorts, facilitated by the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute, emphasised practical, hands-on skills to manage medical emergencies until professional help arrives, the Government of the Virgin Islands said.
More than 45 public officers across the Virgin Islands enhanced their emergency response skills after completing the Emergency Care and Treatment (ECAT) Advanced First Aid Training Course held from 13 to 24 April 2026, according to a press release from the Government of the Virgin Islands.
The programme was facilitated by the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute (VIPSLI) as part of a broader, ongoing training initiative for law enforcement and border control agencies. Participants came from the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service, His Majesty’s Prison, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, His Majesty’s Customs Department, the Department of Immigration, the BVI Airport Authority, and the Department of Facilities Management.
Training was delivered in two one-week cohorts and emphasised practical, hands-on instruction designed to prepare officers to stabilise and manage medical emergencies until professional emergency medical services arrive. The Government's release said the course aimed to strengthen both on-duty response and the capacity of officers to serve as community resources during crises.
Course content covered emergency site protocols, basic human anatomy, injury assessment and treatment, patient handling techniques, and real-time problem-solving under pressure. Instructors used scenario-based exercises to replicate high-pressure incidents and give participants practice in assessing and treating injuries while maintaining scene safety, the release noted.
Burgess, PAHO/WHO Regional Trainer and Subject Area Expert, who brings more than 26 years of service experience, including time with the Barbados Defence Force. Burgess said: "Early intervention can make the difference between life and death. A great deal can be done to save a life before Emergency Medical Services arrive, because the first response often comes from those already present.
In island communities, where there may be challenges in dispatching medical teams quickly, having the know-how to respond in a crisis is critical. This knowledge must be shared so that we can close the gap between the moment an emergency occurs and the arrival of professional medical assistance." While dozens of officers completed the ECAT programme, the Government highlighted Tiffany Herbert Fahie and Winston Farrington Jr among those who successfully finished the course.
Graduates are expected to apply their new skills both while on duty and as valuable community resources, contributing to stronger resilience across the Territory. The Government of the Virgin Islands reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing professional development for public officers through targeted training initiatives that build capacity.
For enquiries about the ECAT programme, the Government listed BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com for international media and provided a main government line at (284) 468-3701, plus WhatsApp at (284) 468-9760 and a virtual booking system for general services. The release underlined that such training helps close the gap between emergencies and the arrival of professional medical assistance in island settings.
Primary source: BVI Government