The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) is partnering with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to train frontline officers to perform immediate live-saving skills when responding to emergencies.
Fifteen police officers are the first to benefit from a series of Heartsaver First Aid Training which started on Monday at NODS headquarters.
The Heartsaver First Aid course teaches participants first aid basics: how to recognize medical emergencies, how to call for help and how to perform lifesaving skills. The sessions are designed for anyone with limited or no medical training.
A second set of officers will be targeted on Wednesday and a third group will undergo a similar session on Friday. Overall, sixty police officers will benefit from the initiative.
Preparedness and Response Manager at NODS, Anderson Tuitt says the goal is to have individuals from several agencies trained to build capacity in mass casualty management among partners. The fire department, military and disaster management volunteers will also benefit from the course.
Director of NODS Sherrod James says this is another step towards the goal of equipping first responders with an expanded set of skills to better serve the public and improve the resilience of national disaster management mechanism response teams.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Sarah Stuart declared the training open on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Rawdon Turner.
Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a Heartsaver First Aid Course Completion Card which is valid for two years.
