Belize’s National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) sponsored a Red Cross First Responders course today at the Placencia Community Center. Today’s First Aid and CPR training was one segment of a series of training NEMO has been offering to civil servants and volunteers in the Stann Creek district. I attended today’s lesson and was happy to received this hands-on instruction. I signed up for this training series from NEMO back in November and we’ve had many informative online sessions pertaining to hurricane preparedness, shelter management, disaster assessment and more but today was my first in-person training with them.
Last week I missed the Fire Safety course that was given in Siene Bight but I’d taken that a few years ago as a Belize Tourism Board requirement for our guesthouse. Today’s First Responder course had a strong representation from the Firefighters as well as a police officer and some community volunteers, like me. The all day course was taught by Terence Woodye from the Belize Red Cross and covered adult, child, and infant CPR along with other breathing emergencies, sudden illnesses, and emergency wound care. It has been too many years since I’ve taken a First Responder training so today was eye-opening for me. Like sharpening the the blade on a very dull saw- my skills needed some refinement and there were plenty of things I’d forgot or that have changed over the years.
Due to high demand, the training is being offered again on Tuesday, 9-3. There may still be space available so if you want to learn these life saving skills, contact David Cruz (NEMO’s district coordinator) at 614-8514. That is his direct line and he makes it known that he’ll always be reached on it so save it on your list of important numbers. Other important numbers to know (everywhere in the country, not necessarily just Stann Creek, these numbers will route you to the local departments) are:
- 911 for police
- 990 for fire
- 936 for NEMO
