The Barbados Defence Force held a special presentation Ceremony to formally recognize the contributions of several individuals and organizations in the development of the BDF Medical Facility and team.

Presentations were made to the following agencies and individuals; Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Crane and Equipment, Peter Moore’s Barbados Trust, Regional Security System (RSS), Caribbean Consultants Limited and Mr Anthony Mayers.

 Since the launch of the Barbados Defence Force Field Medical Facility six months ago with the donation of tents, cots, vital sign monitors and other logistics equipment, the BDF has been working steadily towards the development of a World Health Organization (WHO) accredited Type 1 Emergency Medical Team (EMT).  This EMT when fully functional, will be able to provide emergency ambulatory care for over 100 patients/day and will triage, treat minor trauma, stabilize and transfer emergencies and severe trauma.

To date over 100 volunteers made up of doctors, nurses, paramedics, artisans and other logistics specialists have been engaged in training with BDF personnel to prepare for the WHO accreditation and future deployment.

 The goal is for this asset to receive its accreditation by August 2019.  After receiving accreditation as a Type 1 EMT, the BDF intends to ultimately attain Type 2 status which sees the addition of surgical care with at least one Operating Room, 20 beds and a laboratory. The Type 2 will have the capacity 7 major and 15 minor surgeries per day and will operate on a 24-hour basis when deployed in the aftermath of a disaster.  The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other donors have continued to provide logistic and technical support to this project.

The team is still in the process of acquiring all of the necessary medical and logistics supplies.

The Barbados Defence Force (BDF) remains committed to its Humanitarian Assistance and Psychosocial Support to Commonwealth of Dominic, given the impact of hurricane Maria in 2017.

The BDF Psychosocial Intervention Team of Reverend Hugh Sandiford, Ms. Harriet Clarke, and Lieutenant Josette Sam coordinated the visit to Dominica. The aim was to provide psychosocial support to the Dominican First Responders from the Police Force, Fire Department and Prison Service post-Hurricane Maria to assist with the alleviation of any remaining psychological challenges being experienced. This was through the identification of mental health needs of these services and the promotion of resiliency and copying.

Barbados Defence Force’s (BDF) Morale, Welfare and Recreation Committee (BDF MWRC) hosted its annual Christmas Children’s Party on Sunday 9 December 2018 at the Officers’ Mess St Ann’s Fort.

 This event caters to over 100 children and allows BDF’s families to socialize in a relaxing atmosphere for the festive season. The Children’s Party’s focus is to provide a Christmas – like – atmosphere for children ages 0 – 16 years old.