Twenty residents from several fenceline communities served by Methanex Trinidad Limited have successfully completed an intensive training course in first-aid and CPR techniques. The initiative forms part of the company's community outreach programme.
The latest group of residents brings the number of people who have received the first-aid training certification from the Methanex initiative to 160, over a four-year period.
They are drawn from Central communities such as Lisas Gardens, California, Pranz Gardens, Claxton Bay, Couva, Perseverance, Balmain, Phoenix Park and Carapichaima.
The training offered participants basic guidelines to assist in emergencies at home and in the workplace, as well as provided a stepping stone to employment opportunities.
Divided into small groups to ensure individual attention, the workshop was conducted by Trinidad and Tobago Emergency and Safety Training Consultancy (TTESTCO), based in Balmain, Couva.
Apart from their completion certificates, the participants were presented with well-stocked first-aid kits. TTESTCO instructor, Rohan Harnanan, explained that the techniques and applications offered in the course gave participants the necessary first-aid skills to attend to certain emergencies which may occur at home or in the workplace.
"These residents are learning up-to-date techniques which can assist in saving lives. The workshop is also an excellent platform for anyone wishing to pursue a career as a nurse, a flight attendant or other employment which calls for similar training," Harnanan said.
The first-aid and CPR-training initiative is driven by the collaborative efforts of Methanex Trinidad and the Methanex Community Advisory Panel (CAP).
To complement the initiative, Methanex will provide refrigerator magnets to residents which will carry emergency telephone numbers of essential services such as police, fire service, hospital, T&TEC, WASA, ODPM and the Regional Corporation.