Trinidad and Tobago has developed a cadre of 200 people who are now better equipped to deal with natural and man-made disasters.
The expertise was gained when five urban communities completed an 18-month programme, funded by the Directorate General of the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (DGECHO), in which they engaged in learning about first aid and basic CPR, radio operations, vulnerability and capacity assessment, early warning systems and forming community disaster response teams in their respective communities.
The communities included East Dry River, Carenage, Cocorite, Diego Martin and Westmoorings. Also involved in the project were the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS), and the Finnish Red Cross. The successful participants received their certificates at the official graduation ceremony on Tuesday at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Circle, Westmoorings.
In delivering the feature address Director General of T&TRCS, Jennifer Gonzalez said the decision was made to bring the programme, the third of its kind being conducted in Trinidad and Tobago, to urban areas because studies have shown that 80 per cent of the world's population, including Trinidad and Tobago would be living in urban areas by 2020.
She said the groups faced many challenges during the programme titled Strengthening Community-Based Preparedness Project. Those challenges, she stated, epitomised urban living. "At times it was difficult to schedule classes for full attendance because some participants would have to choose between losing a day's pay or going to work and not showing up for training," said Gonzalez.
She revealed in conducting the programme officials recognised unemployment as a huge problem in urban areas. The vagaries of weather conditions and rival activities within the communities also helped shape the programme not only in how training was conducted but the techniques used to engage participants.
"This was a relatively new concept for the TTRCS and shows how programmes such as this not only assist the chosen communities but also build the necessary sensitivities and capacities needed for the national society to continue to expand our presence and reach, to complete our mandate of Saving lives, Changing Minds, (the programme's motto)," said Gonzalez.
The T&TRC congratulated the participants in the training sessions, saying it was imperative that people come together in communities to form disaster response teams as warranted when any natural or man-made disaster strikes requiring all hands on deck to function in a professional manner.
Gonzalez's message was endorsed by T&TRCS Disaster Management Director Earl Hernandez who said while T&T continues to look on at the world and the natural disasters happening in other countries there was a need to be mindful that the nation is not exempt. He said T&T was long overdue for an earthquake according to seismologists. "We need to be prepared! It is as simple as that," he said.
The programme will continue throughout the country in various communities. Among the participants were the Port-of-Spain City Corporation, Diego Martin Corporation, ODPM, Chaguaramas Development Authority, Fire Services, Police and other essential services.