Saving lives now and in thefuture – St John Canada’s work in Haiti

Police officer Windy Joseph is one of 2,200 officers of the Haitian National Police (HNP) force who has undergone extensive training in basic first aid and CPR since the project’s kick-off in April this year. The program is offered by the Haitian National Police Academy, in partnership with St John Ambulance Canada.

In September, Windy, a recently certified St John Ambulance (SJA) instructor, used her newly acquired skills to help a female detainee give birth. Windy was on an evening shift at the Bon Repos Sub-Commissariat when she heard cries from a woman in a detention cell who had gone into labour.

Windy responded with the confidence and professionalism gained during her training with SJA. She quickly stepped into the cell and just fifteen minutes later a baby girl was born. Windy continued to provide the necessary care until a nurse arrived and attended to the new mother and baby.

Given the challenges the Haitian National Police have to be able to be on high alert, the first aid instructor training program has proven invaluable to Haitians, enabling officers to respond to a wide range of emergencies.

“We are extremely pleased to hear from officers that they have used their first aid skills in the call of duty.” says Joseph Tardée, lead HNP first aid instructor and coordinator.

The development of a cadre of first aid instructors with the HNP is critical to the success of the project. “Thanks to the dedication and co-leadership of our HNP coordinators and other volunteers, we have been able to train an additional 100 trainers, in the last three months, who will teach first aid courses in the regions outside of the capital.” says William Black, St John Ambulance Project Manager.

the earthquake, it was clear that Haitian infrastructure and HNP members providing emergency services needed to be better organized and prepared. In response, SJA has launched an emergency preparedness awareness training program for HNP managers

“The Hazards Identification and Risks Assessment exercise helps the Haitian National Police identify and evaluate risks in their own communities.” says Jean-Luc Marchessault, Emergency Preparedness Officer with St. John Ambulance.

The four-day course brings together officers with diverse experiences in responding to emergencies and provides them with an opportunity to learn general concepts in emergency management and practice in order to develop emergency plans. SJA intends to train 400 officers by the end of 2012. The project is funded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Global Peace and Security Fund.