Agriculture Extension Division staff engaged in EMS Training by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

A one-day session was facilitated by Mr. Dale Joseph from the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with the Agriculture Extension Division (AED) workers on Tuesday 31^st March.  Mr. Joseph shared a wealth of front-line experience and expertise in emergency response; ensuring that the AED staff, which comprised of seven technical field and two administrative staff is proficient in life-saving intervention.

According to Mr. Ika Fergus/Chief Extension Officer(ag), due to the nature of the work field officers are often taken into remote areas where challenging circumstances can occur.  Therefore, in these settings where the distance between professional medical care and speedy response are crucial officers being trained can be significant. “So, the objective of this training was straightforward but profound: to ensure that if a colleague, a farmer, or a member of the public experiences a cardiac or respiratory crisis in our presence, we act with competence and composure rather than hesitation” explained Mr. Fergus.

Plans are currently in motion for several staff to participate in the advanced certificate-level training with the EMS over the coming months. Moreover, there are plans to include a parallel training component for farmers, ensuring that emergency preparedness becomes a pillar of our national agricultural resilience. This focus on First Aid and CPR proficiency remains a top priority for the AED’s professional development throughout the year.