TCI News
TCI: Repel and collapse rescues, 20 trained in DDME & CDEMA workshop
#Providenciales, August 17, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – It looks both frightening and fun; repelling down a steep cliff in the beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands but this was serious business on both Friday in Providenciales and Saturday in Middle Caicos led by trainers sent in by Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, CDEMA to support a DDME workshop.
The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies, DDME has led this kind of training before; USAR or Urban Search and Rescue is a workshop engineered to increase how many people in the islands are able to conduct rescues in the most grueling conditions.
George Hazel, a paramedic from Trinidad and Tobago spoke to Magnetic Media on day five of a six-day training. In a clearing off South Dock road is where the group was able to put into practice the theoretical instruction from earlier this week.
“The skill which they are doing now is repelling, which is part of what they are required to do as a search and rescue team,” said Mr. Hazel who said the training would intensify and require the rescue trainees to repel, find a patient and haul them back up the cliff.
On Friday, the group was required to scale this 85-foot drop – several times, up and down – men and women, alike.
The training is a part of a plan which has been unravelling since 2016, explained Hazel. The high angle and low angle rescues have been done before, this week provided a refresher of the skills and added techniques in rescuing from a collapsed structure. Next time, the search and rescue capacity for the Turks and Caicos Islands will be bolstered with exposure to water rescues.
“The third portion is the water rescue component and will involve swift water rescue.”
Rayon Bifield was the man we caught on camera repelling down the cliff. Bifield is an EMT and self-confessed adrenaline-junkie, who said for him it was exciting and important.
“It has been a tremendous experience. It is a good skill and one we can not only use for recreational purposes but one we can use to save somebody’s life. As an EMT, the possibility that somebody is injured you know that you have an EMT on board who can go down and do the necessary assessment, packaging and retrieve of a patient.”
DDME Radio and Communications & Telecommunications Specialist, Mark Wilkinson agreed that it has been a successful week.
“This has been very satisfying, and as part of the Department, I am very comfortable to go out there and rescue persons in the event we are called upon. This has been an area where we really needed to build capacity and strengthen our numbers. Based on how we are designed and how some islands are far a part, it is important that we build these numbers so that we can be apart of that first responding team.”
DDME, Emergency Medical Services, TCI Airports Authority, volunteers including an off-duty police officer, the District Commissioner for Middle Caicos, Frederick Johnson and five women were among those trained in this specialized search and rescue; USAR.
“Yes, this kind of training is becoming increasingly important. Not just here in TCI, but worldwide. Sometimes we think that search and rescue is only when someone goes missing in Middle Caicos or somewhere, but we have to remember that after a hurricane or a storm, if a house is badly damaged or blown down, then persons like myself or a member of the team will have to go in and skillfully take that person out.”
Wilkinson reminded of the region’s susceptibility to small earthquakes and collapsed buildings.
Magnetic Media was informed that the trainees completing the course are now also equipped and certified to assist CDEMA in search and rescue operations in neighboring countries including Jamaica, Haiti or The Bahamas.
The training instructors were: Abdias Samuel, National Disaster Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, St. Kitts and Nevis; George Hazel, Clinical Services Manager, Emergency Training Institute of Trinidad and Tobago and Carlos Bishop, Leading Fire Officer, Barbados Fire Service.
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#ddmeandcdemaworkshop
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
