SVG’s first responders hold water safety drills

The SVG Coast Guard, Red Cross, Cadet Corps, Calliaqua Police, other first responders and NEMO were involved in a water safety drill at Indian Bay Beach on Monday, May 8.

The objectives of the drill were to: test the Coast Guard response procedures and protocols; test the Red Cross’ medical and psychosocial support response to an incident at sea; and train first responders in the proper procedure for rescue at sea.

The evaluation of the drill was done by Major Hamilton of the Cadet Corps, Lieutenant Hamlett of the SVG Coast Guard and Raymond Yorke and Jerwayne Laidlow of NEMO.

Petty Officer Daniel was in command of the SVG Coast Guard’s response team; Julia Simmons, the Red Cross’ team; and Petty Officer Glasgow, the incident command, while Bernard Morgan of the Red Cross co-ordinated the drill.

First responders were drawn from the villages of Fancy, Sandy Bay, Point, Questelles, Mesopotamia, as well as the island of Bequia.

The drill described as “a tremendous success in that all the objectives were met and that valuable lessons were learnt by all participants”.