Law enforcement officers and first responders throughout the Public Sector completed the Concepts of the Incident Command Systems (ICS) Training Course facilitated by the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute (VIPSLI).

The training programme was held from 27th - 29th April, and saw twenty-five officers from the Department of Immigration, His Majesty’s Prison, BVI Airports Authority, Department of Disaster Management, Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue Service, His Majesty’s Customs, BVI Ports Authority, and Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.

The course was led by Mr. Peter C. Burgess, Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization Regional Trainer and was designed to introduce participants to the concepts and principles of the Incident Command System (ICS), an internationally recognised framework used to coordinate emergency response operations and manage incidents of varying scale and complexity. The programme combined theoretical instruction with practical exercises, allowing participants to apply the knowledge and techniques learned in simulated environments.

Director of the Virgin Islands Public Service Learning Institute, Dr. Connie E. George, commended the officers for their dedication and commitment to efficient emergency management. She said, “The diligence demonstrated by these officers throughout this programme reflects the high standard of service we continue to cultivate across the Public Sector. The hands-on approach of this course ensured officers not only absorbed the information presented, but also enhanced the practical skills necessary to effectively respond to a wide range of emergency situations they may encounter. As emergency response practices continue to evolve, it is imperative that our officers remain equipped with the most current knowledge and skills necessary to effectively respond to incidents and protect the communities they serve.”

The twenty-five participating public officers successfully completed the course and were presented with certificates valid for a period of three years.