The Virgin Islands Fire Service has partnered with the USVI Public Safety Support Foundation to provide 50 firefighters with the training necessary to become Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs).
Twenty-five firefighters on St. Croix have begun the two-week course and are scheduled to complete the training on Sept. 20. An additional 25 personnel in the St. Thomas-St. John District will begin the course on Oct. 7.
Firefighters who successfully complete the training and become certified EMRs will be able to provide basic lifesaving interventions until EMTs and/or paramedics arrive on emergency scenes.
“This training will help improve the Fire Service’s ability to assist with emergency medical calls and enable the agency to better serve the community,” said Director Daryl George. “We are grateful to the USVI Public Safety Support Foundation for providing the technical and financial support needed to conduct the training. We are also thankful to St. Croix Rescue for allowing us the use of the St. Croix Rescue Academy.”
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to assist the VIFS in their efforts to improve their response. Our hope is to have more trained emergency medical service professionals on each island. Together our efforts are focused on building capacity to respond efficiently to accidents, medical calls, and other emergencies and this is a great step in that direction,” said Eduardo Jany, board chairman of the USVI Public Safety Support Foundation.
Founded in 2018, the USVI Public Safety Support Foundation (USVI PSSF) is a non-profit corporation that supports public safety entities across the territory through funding, programming and partnerships.