Mass Casualty Simulation Training held in Collaboration with PAHO

#TurksandCaicos, November 22, 2022 – The Health Emergency Management Unit within the Ministry of Health and Human Services,through its commitment to providing a comprehensive approach to health emergency management in response to public health threats including natural and man-made disasters affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), resumed its Mass Casualty Management Training after a two-year break due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Three trainings were conducted, two on the Island of Providenciales and one on Grand Turk. Participants for these trainings were drawn from Government and Non-Government first responders and included Medical Doctors, Nurses, Emergency Medical Services personnel, Police, TCI Regiment, Aerodrome and Domestic Fire, Port and Airport Authority Security Officers, Red Cross, ADRA, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies and TCIG Treasury Staff. A total of 94 persons were trained.

Each training took place over the course of six days culminating in a live exercise. Participants were awarded certificates based on successful completion of the course which includes written and practical examinations. The Mass Casualty Management course is a didactic, multi-sectoral training course consisting of five days of lectures, field exercises and role-playing. It is designed to sharpen the response skills of mass casualty responders, helping them to more effectively manage events in human and/or other resources-challenged areas. On day six, it culminates in a series of practical field exercises, held at night, to underscore nocturnal challenges.

The Director of Health Disaster, Education and Training stated that “the response to the Mass Casualty Management training was overwhelming and the Unit will be conducting training throughout the Islands to ensure that each island builds their emergency response capacity.”

Instructors for the trainings included Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) subject expertand Regional Emergency Response Trainer, Mr Peter Burgess, PAHO certified instructors Miss Charlene Higgs and Dr Denise Braithwaite-Tennant and Associate Instructors Mrs TammikaLall-Williams and Mr. Leron Albert.

The Ministry of Health and Human Services would like to thank the Pan American Health Organization for the continuous support provided to the Health Emergency Management Unit and the Ministry of Health and Human Services.