“It is critical that we are able to adequately respond to major incidents,” said Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, JP, MP, as he opened a course organised by the UK’s College of Policing to train local Government officials to respond to significant incidents.

The four-day Multi-Agency Gold Commander course at the Police Recreation Club last week, was aimed at all departments and agencies that sit on the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) Executive or work with the EMO Executive.

The training provided a condensed module to develop delegates’ understanding of the role of Gold Commander in the event of a significant incident or civil emergency.

Addressing the seminar, Minister Weeks added: “I am hoping that we will finish this course with a clearer idea of what a Gold Level joint agency command team looks and feels like when responding to a multi-agency incident declared as a major incident.”

The Minister thanked the various agencies in the room for strengthening their collective ability to handle a major incident. These agencies include the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, and Government House.

Minister Weeks further commented: “Whether it’s a mass casualty incident, the grounding of a cruise ship or an air crash, our agencies must be ready to handle the potential crisis.

“We must also bear in mind that our isolation means it would take at least a day for outside help to arrive in the event of a major incident.

“Therefore, this level of training, by the UK’s prestigious College of Policing, is invaluable in helping us to be prepared and strengthen our multi-agency incident command and control systems.”