Soldiers with the Royal Bermuda Regiment “fine-tuned” their skills in advance of the start of hurricane season last weekend.

Major Duncan Simons, Officer Commanding B Company and the regiment’s Commanding Officer Designate, said troops recently took part in exercises that focused on route reconnaissance, building shoring and tree cutting.

“B Company’s remit is humanitarian aid and disaster relief, which includes hurricane response, so before the season begins we do a shake out exercise to test and practise a few skills,” Major Simons said.

“We stood up the operations room and presented a mock operational order so that everyone understood their role.”

The 2024 Hurricane Season begins on Saturday, with early forecasts suggesting a busier than average season.

Lance Corporal Spencer Brown, who runs Island Rehab Hub – a physiotherapy, personal training and injury rehabilitation business – said the skills were new to learn.

“I’ve been introduced to a machete,” he said. “I’ve been doing my best to cut down some trees that are invasive.

“It’s different to my day job. The reason I’m in the military is because I used to be, back in the UK, and I always liked the soldiering part.

“I never thought I could do it again until I came to Bermuda and realised I could join the regiment.

“You’re never too old to learn something new, the regiment gives you the chance to do that.”

He added that he was happy to have an opportunity to lend a hand in the unfortunate event that a storm does strike the island.

Corporal Taye Fishington, a member of the RBR’s Band and Corps of Drums, said he had helped out in past storms.

“A couple of times I’ve been on top of the roofs to put down tarps after holes were made during hurricanes,” he said. “A couple of times I’ve cleared roads of big trees, helping the chainsaw operators.”

Private Marketa Raynor highlighted that teams are required to communicate effectively during disaster relief work.

“With the hurricanes, when we’re in the community, we are always thinking about how we would feel if that was our mom, uncle, aunt or grandpa,” she said.

“We really do come together even more than we would on a normal day.”

She said it felt great to be in a position where she can help, and added: “That’s one of the reasons that I joined the regiment, to give back to the community and to gain another family, which I didn’t expect, but it’s definitely a plus.”