The commitment and support of the BDF has been readily displayed in the Force’s deployments and employment of its resources. The Force’s actions are demonstrative of its mission – to defend and secure Barbados’ interests, against contemporary and emerging security threats, including responding to disasters, independently and or jointly with our interagency, multinational, public and private sector partners.
Concomitant to the Force’s mission, OPERATION TRIDENT SHIELD was the Force’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic; this Operation commenced on 3 February 2020. OPERATION TRIDENT SHIELD was embedded into the operational scope of the Force to further assist the Government of Barbados to manage this public health threat. In addition to the joint patrols with the Royal Barbados Police Force, maritime operations to counter illicit trafficking and other transnational organised crimes; the Force augmented their medical response capabilities in support of national initiatives. Most recently the Force deployed in assistance to the Barbados Prison Service at Dodds.
Among other actions, the BDF has reinforced its Health Services Unit as the main effort of medical support and management of the virus throughout 2020 and is ongoing. Additionally, the Force coordinated and managed the logistic support for the setup of quarantine facilities, transport assistance (for aspects of testing and quarantining), provided meals for quarantined persons, assisted with the coordinating and technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ Health Emergency Operations Centre; increased support to the joint RPBF curfew patrols and Covid-19 screening and both ports of entry.
As at 31 December 2020, the BDF assisted at the ports of entry with the screening of over, 64,880 persons, transportation of over 300 positive cases and approximately 1,880 persons to quarantine facilities. Additionally, the Force assisted and facilitated the preparation of over 32,100 meals for quarantined persons. A further 110 tests have been conducted in support of the Accident and Emergency Department’s Clinical Decision Unit when it was established at Jemmott’s Lane.
As a member of the regional Covid-19 response, the BDF has supported the Integrated Regional Logistics Hub in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Regional Security System and the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security. This assistance involved the intraregional movement of equipment and supplies needed to help our Caribbean neighbours to fight the pandemic.
As 2021 dawns, the BDF will continue to pre-empt and/or respond to emerging threats, remaining committed to excellence through service to our beloved Barbados. The BDF places great value on joint interagency operations both on land and at sea in order to maintain a safe and secure environment that is conducive to national stability, growth and development.
