Castle Bruce residents undergo training from Dominica Red Cross, establish Community Disaster Response Team

The Red Cross of Dominica is actively engaged in enhancing community resilience across the island by implementing disaster risk reduction strategies and early warning protocols through the establishment of Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRT).

Recently, a group of ten residents from Castle Bruce underwent comprehensive training covering vital topics such as Climate Change, characteristics of resilient communities, Damage and Needs Assessments (DANA), temporary shelter construction, Psychosocial Support, Light Search and Rescue, firefighting techniques, First Aid, and CPR, among others. Upon completion of the training, participants received essential tools designed to aid their community’s mitigation and response efforts.

In a practical exercise, the trainees collaborated to create a Community Hazard Map. This involved a walkthrough of Castle Bruce to identify local hazards and establish evacuation routes to ensure safety in emergencies. A simulation drill was also conducted to evaluate the community’s response capabilities.

The Closing Ceremony, held on November 7, 2024, featured remarks from Hon. Octavia Alfred, the Parliamentary Representative for the area. She praised the participants for their successful completion of the training program and expressed gratitude to the Dominica Red Cross for its invaluable contribution to enhancing disaster management within the community. Additionally, tools and equipment were presented to the Village Council to bolster the community’s emergency response initiatives.