The British Virgin Islands Red Cross Association is significantly enhancing the capabilities of its volunteers through a comprehensive Volunteer Enrichment Summit, led by Jason Lyons, an experienced Emergency Management Consultant from the Red Cross.
Lyons, who serves as a Regional Manager at the American Red Cross and formerly held the position of Disaster and Risk Reduction Manager at the BVI Red Cross, began the training sessions on Tuesday, June 18. The summit will conclude with a highly anticipated simulation exercise on Saturday, June 22.
In an in-depth interview with 284 Media, Lyons detailed the scope and objectives of the summit.
He emphasized that the training is designed to equip volunteers with advanced skills and knowledge essential for effective disaster response and emergency management.
Lyons highlighted the structure of the training sessions, which include a mix of theoretical instruction and practical exercises. Each class is carefully crafted to cover crucial aspects of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Regarding the upcoming simulation exercise, Lyons mentioned that participants will receive a briefing on the scenario on the day of the exercise. However, he reassured that the scenario would align closely with the training provided throughout the week, ensuring that volunteers are well-prepared to tackle the challenges presented.
Meanwhile, Stacy Lloyd, Director of BVI Red Cross, underscored the importance of these training sessions.
Following the completion of the summit, Director Lloyd said the community can look forward to a strengthened and more capable volunteer force ready to respond to any emergencies.