TTRC holds third VCA training in Trinidad

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross (TTRC) as part of its disaster preparedness programme held its third  Vulnerability, Capacity and Assessment training (VCA) in Mayaro from August 25 – 29 at the Mayaro Resource Centre.

Thirty one (31) participants from the community all from a different backgrounds and with various occupations gathered at the Resource Centre which was donated by bpTT and the Community Awareness Emergency Response Committee (CAER) Mayaro/Guayaguayare.

The training was facilitated by Jill Marie St John, a consultant with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation), with assistance from Angela Gouveia, acting director general, TTRC, Rishi Siew, disaster officer, TTRC, Jose Bonilla from the Regional Co-ordination Centre of Community- Based Disasters in Costa Rica, Humphrey Blinker, disaster field officer, Suriname Red Cross and Leslie Edgehill, field officer, Guyana Red Cross.

Most of the participants were members of CAER and personnel from the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation. There was active participation and interaction from all participants.

Marvin Edwards, a firefighter for 17 years was one of the participants at the VCA. He said this is the first such training he has ever received. “This training was really very exciting. It brought something different to the people of the area in that it was very hands on instead of people being lectured to in a class.”

Edwards said he was definitely going to share the knowledge he gained from the training with other firefighters as well as apply the teaching to all aspects of his personal life. “This VCA programme should be taught in all schools and all communities in Trinidad and Tobago. It is definitely a step-up in preparing people for any disasters.”

Sharla King, a police officer has lived in Guayaguayare for the last 20 years and she said this was the first time she had ever heard of VCA. “Initially when I was invited to this training, I thought it was going to be First Aid because it was a training that the Red Cross was conducting. I never once thought that the Red Cross also worked in the area of disaster management.”

King added that the training she received was very helpful and that she would recommend that her colleagues take part in future VCA trainings since it can assist in their daily duties as police officers. “I have definitely enhanced my skills in disaster preparedness and management. The Red Cross should do this all communities.”

Nydia Ferrier, a student at the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies (UWI SCS) said she never once thought that the training was going to be so interesting when she got the invitation. “I always saw the Red Cross as a provider of First Aid service only. I never thought that there were involved in disaster preparedness.”

She said since she was studying early childhood education, the VCA training and methodology would definitely be useful in helping out her neighbours whenever there is a disaster and indeed her students when she is placed in a school.

Angela Gouveia, acting director general, TTRC said the participants from the VCA training will go on to be trained as Community Disaster Response Training (CDRT). “After which we hope to have a fully trained Red Cross disaster preparedness group in Mayaro/Guayaguayare.”

She noted that a final report on all findings and recommendations will be sent to the relevant governmental agencies for information on hazards, risks, vulnerabilities and capacities in the area.