Twenty-seven officers from the Forestry Department and the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Project (VEEP) successfully completed Wilderness and Remote First Aid Certification training as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and field response capacity in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Twenty-seven officers from the Forestry Department and the Volcanic Eruption Emergency Project (VEEP) successfully completed Wilderness and Remote First Aid Certification training as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and field response capacity in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The training programme was conducted in partnership with the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross Society and focused on equipping participants with the practical skills needed to respond to emergencies in remote and challenging environments. Officers received instruction in CPR, wound management, fracture stabilisation, environmental illnesses, emergency evacuation procedures, and basic life-saving techniques.
The initiative forms part of VEEP’s broader commitment to strengthening national resilience and improving the operational readiness of frontline personnel involved in forestry management, disaster response, and environmental rehabilitation activities. Given the difficult terrain and remote working conditions often encountered by forestry officers, the training was considered an important investment in occupational safety and emergency preparedness.
Officials noted that the certification programme will improve the ability of officers to safely respond to incidents in isolated communities and field locations, particularly in areas impacted by volcanic activity and natural hazards. Participants also gained valuable experience in teamwork, risk assessment, and emergency decision-making under field conditions.
Since its establishment, VEEP has supported several initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving disaster preparedness systems, and supporting long-term recovery following the 2021 eruptions of La Soufrière volcano.
The successful completion of the training programme demonstrates the project’s continued emphasis on capacity building and ensuring that technical personnel are equipped with the skills necessary to support safe and effective operations across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Source: iWitness News
Original Story:
https://www.iwnsvg.com/2025/07/25/forestry-veep-officers-certified-in-wilderness-remote-first-aid/