B.V.I. Thursday, 27 August – Emergency responders in the Territory are now better equipped to manage a harbor or shoreline oil spill following their participation this week in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Oil Spill Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention Model Training Course Level 1.
The three-day course at the Department of Disaster Management was delivered by Mr. Mike Gass of Clean Caribbean and Americas and Mr. Leonard Reed, a consultant with the Regional Activity Center/Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Information and Training Center for the Caribbean (RAC-REMPEITC).
The material presented allowed for personnel who are tasked with managing shoreline or harbour clean up operations to be better able to organise and supervise work teams using the appropriate equipment and techniques to successfully clean an oiled site.
Other areas covered in the course included information on prioritising sites, understanding the types of shorelines, the environmental issues, selection of equipment and the correct techniques to carry out a successful clean up. This course provided the skills and knowledge to allow the responders to act as effective oil spill clean up supervisors.
The Department of Disaster Management serves as the lead coordinating agency for all natural and man-made hazard impacts in the Territory and is mandated to work towards ensuring that the resources and skills are available to emergency responders to perform their duties effectively.
Departments represented at the three-day course included the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry, Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Services, Police Marine Unit, BVI Electricity Corporation, BVI Ports Authority, Delta Petroleum Ltd, Sol BVI and the Conservation and Fisheries Department.
Persons interested in obtaining information about this course and its contents can contact the DDM’s Training and Research Office, Ms. Carishma Hicks at 468-4200 or via email at chicks@gov.vg
To learn more about the Department of Disaster Management and its functions, call the main office at 468-4200, visit the office at #3 Wailing Road, McNamara, Road Town or visit the website at www.bviddm.com.
British Virgin Islands News