One hundred teachers and school staff received First Aid training from the BVI Red Cross as part of the BVI SMART Schools project. Photo: BVI Red Cross

The training of 100 educators and support staff in First Aid is part of the ongoing SMART Schools Initiative and a milestone in the Virgin Islands’ resilience-building efforts. Photo: Internet Source

100 educators and school support staff received training in vital emergency response techniques such as CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), treatment of burns and scalds, recognising and treating shock, bleeding control and injury management by the BVI Red Cross. Photo: Internet Source

The training of one hundred educators and support staff in First Aid is part of the ongoing SMART Schools Initiative and a milestone in the VI’s resilience-building efforts.

The current iteration of BVI SMART Schools is supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, and managed by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM). Its strategic partnership with the BVI Red Cross means that educators gained essential skills to provide basic first response care, a press release from the DDM said.

According to the press release, the BVI Red Cross’ efforts to enhance community preparedness through tailored First Aid training for teachers reflect their unwavering commitment to fostering a resilient community. This initiative not only enhances the safety and preparedness of schools but also nurtures a cohort of educators who serve as vital preparedness leaders within communities.

BVI Red Cross Director Ms. Stacy C. Lloyd said an educator’s role extends beyond the walls of the classroom, especially in time of adversity.

“Our mission is to empower teachers with essential First Aid training, enabling them to be front-line responders and foster a culture of safety and preparedness within their school communities. In doing so, this initiative allows more members of our community to confidently respond to an emergency, wherever they may be,” she added.

Vital emergency response techniques taught

As part of the training, vital emergency response techniques such as CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), treatment of burns and scalds, recognising and treating shock, bleeding control and injury management, were taught.

These sessions aim to build a robust safety framework, training educators and school support staff in collaboration with participating schools, School Improvement Officer with the Ministry of Education Theodore John said.

Mr. John explained, "The training provided by BVI Red Cross has been invaluable in preparing our school staff to address emergencies effectively. We now feel more equipped to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”

First Aid training aligns with broader SMART Schools Project objectives

Meanwhile, Director of Disaster Management Jasen Penn said the training aligns with the broader objectives of the SMART Schools project, which aims to fortify public schools across the Virgin Islands against the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, which has led to increased climate activity.

"Our collaboration with the BVI Red Cross underscores our commitment to holistic resilience within school communities, and is part of an international approach to ensure schools are safe spaces for our young people. Training for educators is an integral component in strengthening our schools and communities,” Penn said.