CDC exploring deeper partnerships with Florida National Guard
...in areas of Search and Rescue, Oil Spill Response, Emergency Preparedness
As the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) attempts to develop its capacity to deal with new and emerging hazards, in addition to pre-existing threats, the body is exploring how it can deepen its partnership with the Florida National Guard.
On Wednesday, members of the Florida National Guard (FLNG) visited the CDC’s Alternate National Emergency Operations Centre at Timehri on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).
There, the team met with officers of the CDC, including the CDC’s Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig. The US team was headed by Adjunct General of the Florida National Guard, Major General James Eifert.
“What we try to do with these types of visits is to foster and strengthen relationships,” Craig said to members of the media, following the engagement with the United States (US) team.
“The main purpose today is really to connect and start discussions for future support and collaboration.”
The Director-General highlighted that during the brief discussion, there were talks on support in the areas of search and rescue, oil spill response, emergency response and emergency preparedness. Visits to the US were also discussed as part of the efforts to strengthen local capacity.
“It wasn’t an engagement to make a commitment, it was an engagement to start the discussion for future support,” the Director-General underscored. As such, there will be further discussions.
Meanwhile, it was also noted that the CDC has been upgrading its structure to cover a broader mandate of the CDC’s emergency response.
The FLNG is also in Guyana engaging in a training exercise with members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). As part of engagements with the local authorities, the FLNG will engage the GDF through three more training and human development interactions before the end of the year. The partnership between the GDF and FLNG has resulted in several Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) involving troops from both institutions.
