DDME Hosts Successful Safe School Training to Strengthen National School Safety and Preparedness

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), recently coordinated a four-day ‘Safe School’ training programme in Providenciales, bringing together key stakeholders in the education and law enforcement sectors.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Bernez Khodra, Resilience Specialist, currently serving as Lead Consultant of KHODRA’s Advisory Group.  Mr. Khodra is also the former senior programme officer for Safe Schools at the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) under the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) project; and School Safety Officer for the Ministry of Education in Saint Lucia.

A total of twenty-two (22) participants successfully completed the programme. The cohort represented the Department of Special Educational Needs Services, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and public and private schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The training provided a focused opportunity to examine current school safety practices, challenge existing approaches and refresh participants understanding of core disaster risk and emergency management principles to keep schools safe.

The final day of the training culminated in a full-scale simulation exercise based on an earthquake scenario that triggered a fire emergency at ‘The A. Louise Garland Thomas High School’.  Designed to mirror real-life conditions as closely as possible, the drill engaged students, faculty members and programme participants in a coordinated emergency response. This exercise reinforced the practical application of strategies covered throughout the training, as well as knowledge and guidance that DDME delivered to the students over the course of the school year. Students were also assessed on their understanding and execution of procedures presented during these sessions, demonstrating their ability to respond effectively and follow safety protocols in an emergency.

Full-scale exercises of this nature are critical to strengthening school safety systems, as they move beyond theory to test readiness in real time. The simulation assessed key areas including communication protocols, evacuation procedures, incident command coordination, decision-making under pressure and the safe movement and accountability of students and staff.

The exercise incorporated a multi-agency response from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Fire Department, and DDME; allowing for the evaluation of response times and the effectiveness of joint operations in a high-pressure environment.

Mr. Bernez Khodra, training facilitator praised the programme, stating that “Participants showed exemplary dedication throughout the four‑day programme. Their enthusiasm and collaborative spirit demonstrated that we are on the right path toward strengthening school safety and emergency preparedness nationwide.”

Speaking on the significance of the training programme, Ms. Tamara Hylton, Training and Education Manager for DDME stated, “This training underscores DDME’s commitment to helping to bring quality education and training programmes to build safety and resiliency across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The high level of engagement demonstrated by participants in this exercise also reflects a shared recognition that school safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

The 2026 ‘Safe School’ training in Providenciales will significantly enhance disaster preparedness within the Turks and Caicos Islands national school system.  DDME remains committed to supporting safer learning environments and equipping stakeholders with the skills needed to protect students, staff, and communities.