BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services will undergo a six weeks basic training course in Emergency Medical Services.
The opening ceremony was held yesterday at the JNF Hospital Classroom where the training course synopsis was delivered by Danielle Wiggins, the in-Service Education Coordinator.
“The procedures and skills taught at this level are general and non-invasive; you will perform the basics of how to handle Cardiac and Respiratory Arrest, Heart-attack, Seizures, Diabetic emergencies, Respiratory problems, and other medical emergencies, including traumatic injuries such as falls, fractures, lacerations and burns,” she said. “Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are also to be introduced to patient assessment, history taking and vital signs.”
Wiggins said that over the six weeks they will be trained to assess a patient’s condition at the scene; to perform emergency medical procedures in order to maintain the patient’s life en route to the hospital by maintaining their breathing.
She said that the training would take the form of theory and practical skills and that comprehension of material learned will be tested throughout the programme with a final written and practical examination.
“We trust this new venture will enhance the quality of emergency care that not only the health care sector provides to our people, but by collaboration with the fire services department, they too will seek to improve the quality of service they provide,” Wiggins said.
Chief Fire Officer, Hester Rawlins, said that the training will certainly enhance the skills of the fire officers in an effort to maximize efficiency which will benefit the entire population of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Rawlins said the Fire Department has taken the training very seriously by having all six stations in the Federation represented and he encouraged everyone to give of their best.
“It is long… quite a lot of work is expected to be done. Take your training very seriously and I am hoping this training will continue. As CFO, I would like the entire Fire Department to undergo this training,” he said.
Minister of Health, Marcella Liburd, said that the collaboration between her Ministry and the Ministry of National Security was an opportunity to share knowledge and share skills along with assets.
Along with encouraging them to do their best she said that the training will also improve their professional skills and enhance their personal development.
We’re a small and developing country but we like to be ahead and we’re heading in the right direction. It is important for us to ensure that we in St. Kitts-Nevis operate under the best practices in not only what’s recognized locally and regionally but also internationally, so that at the end of the day you will be able to function in any environment in which you find yourself,” she said.
The facilitators of the training include officials from EMT Services and also Fire Sub-Officers Abdias Samuel and Timothy Martin.
