Underscoring its mission as a Responsible Care company, Methanex Trinidad Ltd completed another phase of its continuing first aid and CPR training for residents of central Trinidad with certification for 15 participants recently.
Drawn from Methanex's fence line communities of California and Dow Village, the residents were taken through an eight-hour session dealing with classroom and practical procedures in the US National Safety Council-certified training course.
The training introduced participants to fundamental guidelines to assist victims in emergencies at home and in the workplace, acting as first responders.
The workshop, which divided paticipants into small groups to deliver individualised attention, was conducted by the Trinidad and Tobago Emergency and Safety Training Consultancy (TTESTCO) at the Esperanza Presbyterian School, Dow Village. Facilitators were TTESTCO's certified instructors, Deonarine Ballyram and Matthew Manohar.
This latest training brings the amount of residents from central Trinidad who have benefited from Methanex's first aid training outreach programme to more than 150.
Angela Ramdhanie, who runs Angela's Kindergarten at New Settlement, Dow Village, said the first aid instructions would be very beneficial to her as a kindergarten operator and teacher since infants tend to have frequent mishaps.
"Young children tend to put things in their mouths, or their noses, so this training has prepared me to deal with them in a more efficient manner. I think at least one person in every home should do this course," Ramdhanie said.
Instructor Ballyram said the training gave participants the 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 actually lead to the saving of lives. The workshop is also a sound foundation for anyone wishing to pursue a career in nursing, as a flight attendant or in safety disciplines," he explained.
The first aid and CPR training is an initiative which Methanex hosts in conjunction with its Community Advisory Panel (CAP). The Methanex CAP comprises residents from its fence line communities in the wider Couva/California area. This partnership provides a communication channel between the company and residents and identifies activities that can benefit residents.
Other initiatives facilitated by the Methanex, CAP partnership in the past four years include fabric design for children, self-esteem, career guidance and teenage pregnancy prevention workshops, personal safety awareness and anger management.
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