Approximately 40 first responders are involved in a search and rescue training in preparation for the annual security and disaster response Caribbean-focused exercise Tradewinds and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to be held later this year in Antigua.
The Urban Search and Rescue training (USAR) is being carried out under the banner of the US Southern Commandwhich is made up of both military and civilian personnel,responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Urban Search and Rescue focuses on locating and removing victims in an urban area namely a structural collapse.
Individuals involved in the training are from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, the Fire Department, the Police Force, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS).
Disaster Response Specialist with the US Department of State Diplomatic Security Chris Schaff says the team of trainers isrepresenting three different organizations – the US Department of State, Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue out of Canada and Haiti Air Ambulance.
He says the goal is to get participants ready for a full-scale exercise during Tradewinds in June and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November.
Over the past two days participants have been sharpening their knowledge in lifting and moving large objects, vehicle extrication which is removing trapped or injured persons safely from a vehicle involved in a collision, taking care of a patient after a rescue, moving patients to an aircraft for medical treatment and rope rescue.
The training, being conducted at the Defence Force Training Facility at Crabbes, ends on Thursday. –
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