Breds.org: Treasure Beach Jamaica community organization starts emergency response unit.

Update: TBERU gets an ambulance.
See the pictures

Breds has had the privilege to host a group of doctors from New York City's Bellevue Hospital In November. These doctors have been training a group of community members in Emergency First Response, which consists of immediate care for people with critical injuries. This skill is of the utmost importance for the people of Treasure Beach who live thirty minutes away from the nearest hospital with no local ambulance. The abilities these twenty-five trainees will receive is invaluable to the Treasure Beach Community. Breds would like to thank everyone who made this event possible, including the participants.

Vincent Moxam, Darin James and Aman Parchment listening to the day's lesson. Vincent Moxam is refreshing his first aid skills originally acquired when he worked at Alumina Partners of Jamaica. He will be leading the Treasure Beach First Responder Team.

Aman Parchment practices chest compressions, while Darin James performs rescue breathing. CPR was the first part of the course, followed by training for cuts, burns, breaks, sprains, shock, choking and many more injuries and ailments. The course culminated with a demonstration of rescuing victims trapped in an automobile.

Dr. James Sadock, Dr. Peter Gordon, Dr. Bill Goldberg and Paramedic Rob Rosenwald pose for the camera. All the doctors worked extremely hard, but fortunately got time for the beach and some cold Red Stripe. Breds would like to thank all the doctors who took time from their busy schedules to improve the quality of life in Treasure Beach. In addition to their time and effort, the doctors are working for an even larger goal. If Treasure Beach can sustain the First Responder team, they will fund-raise to help the community purchase an ambulance.

Breds` would also like to thank the Ministry of Health, the Mandeville Regional Hospital, the Black River Hospital, Jamaica Customs, Bellevue Hospital and Jake's Hotel. The biggest thanks, however, is to the community members who participated in the course. Their skills will make Treasure Beach safer, happier and healthier.

The Treasure Beach Emergency Response Unit (TBERU) is a joint project between the International Society for Emergency Care and Breds, the Treasure Beach Foundation, created to ensure the safety of Treasure Beach citizens. After their second training course in 2002, the medical team from Bellevue Hospital in New York were inspired by the overwhelming support of the community and committed to raising funds for an ambulance. That goal was accomplished in 2004 with the purchase of Toyota HiAce ambulance from Japan, for which Food For The Poor generously donated shipping costs to Jamaica.

In conjunction with the ambulance’s arrival, the team made another trip to Jamaica to train current TBERU members on the new vehicle, and also to train other community members who wished to become part of the Response Unit. Thirty new volunteers were trained in CPR, first aid, and spinal immobilization skills during an intensive two-week course. Of note, the Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) partnered with the volunteers and conducted airlife evacuation exercises with one of their helicopters. The Bellevue team also reached out to neighbouring areas, teaching CPR and water rescue skills to community members and to local fishermen.

The official ambulance launch and graduation of new TBERU members was held on Saturday April 10, 2004. Speakers included Paulette Elliott from the Ministry of Health, The Mayor Frank Whittor, and Donald Buchanan, M.P. Dr. James Sadock and Veronica Berry, R.N also made heartfelt speeches. The ambulance will be used for emergency calls that require supervised transport to Black River Hospital. It will be provided free of charge, but donations are welcome for upkeep and maintenance.

To our knowledge, The Treasure Beach Emergency Response Unit is the only community-based volunteer ambulance corps in Jamaica. The program is supported by Treasure Beach citizens who wish to see it grow: It is “a program that continues to expand with the love and support of this community.” –Dr. James Sadock.

Breds would like to thank all of the doctors and nurses from New York for their time and commitment to the Treasure Beach Emergency Response Unit: Dr. James Sadock, Dr. Phil Levy, Dr. Peter Gordon, Dr. Aaron Hexdall, Dr. Philip Hew, Dr. Jason Kahn, Dr. Bill Goldberg, Veronica Berry, R.N., Sue Montella, R.N., and Paramedic Robert Rosenwald. Without the cooperation of the Jamaican Ministry of Health, the generous support of Air Jamaica, and people who donated to the ISEC, the program would not have been possible. The Response Unit looks forward to continued growth and success, and most importantly, to lives saved.