Emergency measures leaders take gold commander training
Agencies are better prepared to respond to major incidents after more than 30 people took part in a training course last month, the Minister of National Security said today.
Michael Weeks highlighted that emergencies could involve mass casualties or environmental damage.
He told the House of Assembly: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 31 participants who passed the Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command course, known as Magic for short.
“The training took four days over the week of February 20 and was presented by the UK’s National Fire Chief’s Counsel and staff from the College of Policing, funded and facilitated by Government House and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”
Mr Weeks explained: “The training was aimed at all departments and agencies that sit on the Emergency Measures Organisation executive or work with the EMO executive.”
Organisations included the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Bermuda Airport Authority.
The Department of Corrections, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the transport, health, and national security ministries, and Government House were also involved.
Mr Weeks said: “These agencies and others would be included as responders to any major incident should it occur.
“This could be on land or on water. The incident could involve mass casualties or significant environmental damage such as a vessel grounding on our reefs and spilling oil or other chemicals into our waters.
“The training ensured that the participants have the confidence, understanding and ability to perform the role of gold commander.
“This included planning, implementing and reviewing a multi-agency strategy to ensure the timely resolution of a major incident or civil emergency.”
Mr Weeks said: “This training has strengthened our multi-agency incident command and control systems and ability to respond to an incident.”
• To read the minister’s remarks in full, click on the PDF under “Related Media”.
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