More than a few frenzied phone calls came in to our studios this morning with news of an accident on the northern which left two BDF soldiers on the road with serious injuries. Well, don't worry, no one was hurt, it was just a simulation in preparation for the hurricane season.
Major Alvin Amoa who coordinated the event told us the BDF is testing its disaster readiness.
Major Alvin Amoa, Coordinator
"This year we've simulated several incidents where we check the response time and our capabilities to respond to all sort of incidents within Belize, especially during the hurricane season or when there is a hurricane or tropical storm that is actually threatening Belize. For example we have found out today and I know most of the Belizean public were calling in to report a serious traffic accident on the Northern Highway. That is just one of the incidents. We just did a boat drill a short while ago to find out what is the response time of our Maritime Unit. We have found out that the response time actually was within their capability because they have a 30 minute notice to move from the camp. What we did was to find out that they responded within the time. What we are trying to do now is to find out how we can actually cut down the response time a bit more so that they will be able to respond more quicker that the 30 minutes."
"Once you go through with the simulation you will find out that maybe you need new equipment because they have been deteriorated over time. You might find out that the type of response you need to respond to might be different for example maybe medical. So you find out that you need a better medical pack; stretchers, and maybe if there is a mass casualty you might need to send out more than one medic to respond to that situation."
The simulations are being staged across the country.
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