From Royal Cayman Islands Police Service

RCIPS Delivers Intensive Emergency First Response Training Delivered to Police, Customs and Immigration Officers in Cayman Brac

From 31 August to 4 September, 2015 the Training Unit of the RCIPS delivered an updated and intensive Emergency First Response Training on Cayman Brac. This was the first training of such intensity and degree in emergency response to be delivered on the Sister Islands, and to include officers from other law enforcement agencies – specifically, 5 Customs officers and 2 Immigration officers, in addition to ten RCIPS officers and one administrative assistant. Over four full days seventeen officers learned how to apply life-saving skills and techniques in emergency situations, including how to administer first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and trauma response. Although the RCIPS has only a few AEDs, all donated by the Cayman Heart Fund, one aim of the training is to provide all officers with the knowledge of how to operate them in the event that more become available.

The training was mostly funded by the RCIPS, while operational equipment in the form of trauma packs, issued to all participants, was funded by the Foreign Commonwealth Office. Portions of the training, especially trauma response, were adapted to police situations.

“We have seen on more than one occasion that police equipped with these skills can and have saved lives,” said Kurt Walton, Chief Superintendent. “Whether it be an accident or a crime scene, police are often the first to arrive and many times are confronted with serious injuries where time is of the essence. We have deepened our emergency training so that they can be both skilled and confident about what they need to do. And we want to share this expertise with our law enforcement partners.”

Sharissa Ritch, a Customs officer on Cayman Brac, observed that as a result of the training she is “more aware of the vast range of possible accidents that could occur at any given time.” She added, “It’s a great feeling to know that I am now able to assist if necessary. I’m very prepared and confident that I’d be able to handle a medical emergency that requires CPR or First Aid.”

Jonathan Myrie, an Immigrations officer, also observed, “I am now truly prepared in a serious situation to do my best to help save another person’s life or even my own.”

An added benefit of the training’s expanded format was that it also deepened partnership among law enforcement agencies on the Brac, who are often required to quickly coordinate their response to emergency situations. The RCIPS will continue to provide this training at regular intervals and will continue to offer opportunities to other agencies to participate.

IMAGES:
Photo 1: PC Lennox Gayle practices the application of an AED on a child mannequin.
Photo 2: Sharissa Ritch, Customs officer, performs a “fireman’s carry” on Jonathan Myrie, Immigrations officer.