Local firefighters receive advanced training

THE LOCAL constabulary should now have improved capacity to fight fires, following participation in a one-week advanced fire fighting training course delivered by an international non-profit organization.

The course was facilitated by Global Fire, which is based in Canada and they, along with Global Medix, also donated firefi ghting equipment and hurricane supplies. At a closing ceremony on Wednesday, April 18, where over 60 people received certificates of participation, Fitzgerald Huggins, consul general of St Vincent and the Grenadines to Canada disclosed that the course came at no cost to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

“The value of this training is in excess of Cdn $200,000 at a cost burdened mostly by Global Fire and Global Medix…” Huggins said the hurricane relief supplies were donated to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). “… They’ll be readily able to feed a few people if they are displaced,” Huggins stated.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Carlos Sampson, said the RSVGPF was extremely happy for the training and that learning how to manage a fire was necessary.

“Understand the way we approach and execute what is learnt, is key to saving lives and property. Remember it could be your own lives,” said Sampson.

Sixty-three persons, of whom 57 were from different departments in the police force and six were civilians from Ministry of Tourism, Red Cross, Argyle International Airport and Teachers Credit Union, took part in the training program.

The training program, which included topics such as ‘search and rescue’ and ‘steep bank rescue’ was a partnership between the RSVGPF, Global Fire and the consulate of SVG in Canada.

MEMBERS OF THE Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) along with officials of Global Fire and Global Medix