October 14th, 2011
EMT & Fire Training Inc. (EFT) has submitted a proposal to provide EMT training to more than 500 first aid providers who currently staff the ambulances in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The plan would call for the future healthcare providers to take the EFT online EMT course and then attend a practical skills week in Trinidad.
With skyrocketing violence, and a murder rate that is 30 times that of the United States and Canada, security for instructors and students would be a primary concern.
If the proposal for training is accepted, instructors would travel to the islands to provide the hands on instruction to small groups of students in a rotating basis. All 500 of the country’s ambulance staff would be trained to the current NREMT EMT level within a 2-year time period.
Scott Reasor, Director of Operations for EMT & Fire Training Inc. said, "Trinidad & Tobago is looking to improve the care provided by their current ambulance staff, yet needs an education program that allows them to continue to work while the training is in progress. The EFT online distance learning EMT course works perfectly with the remote location of the islands (just six miles off the northeastern coast of Venezuela). The country is going through turbulent times with gang violence, and the government wants the healthcare providers to have the knowledge and skills necessary to deal with the increased injuries."
As in any volatile environment, the security of the instructors will be taken very seriously (scene safety anyone?). If Trinidad accepts EFT's bid for training, a private firm would be contracted to provide 24-hour security for instructors and their families. This would include home security as well as public escorts. "We will go over the top to provide for the safety of our instructors and students. The instructors have to feel comfortable. As in Emergency Medical Services you cannot provide quality care (instruction) if you are continually having to turn your attention to the safety of you and your team," stated Reasor.
Trinidad & Tobago declared a state of emergency on August 25th, 2011 after 17 murders in less than 2 weeks threatened to lead the nation into anarchy. Since August more than 2,000 people have been arrested under the acting police commissioner Dwayne Gibbs, a former Alberta, Canada police services superintendent. Drug related gun violence has been escalating at a startling rate. The CIA is calling Trinidad & Tobago the "transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the U.S. and Europe."
EFT should know whether the EMT training proposal will be accepted within the next few months. Stay tuned to future newsletters to see how things are progressing. Stay safe!
Back to October 2011 Newsletter
|
