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Belize Emergency Response Development and Preparedness Program Launches First Phase

A new collaboration between the Belize National Fire Service (BNFS), Belize HeroesEmpact Northwest and Trek Medics International kicked off the first phase of a multi-year emergency response development and preparedness program in Cayo District, in western Belize.

The first phase, consisting of a week of trainings on dispatch technology and techniques, is focused on helping BNFS improve their emergency response coordination. Among the improvements made are the implementation of Trek Medics’ Beacon Emergency Dispatch platform, which will allow dispatcher to coordinate local responders and bring help when and where it’s needed, along with other communications technologies, materials and equipment necessary for BNFS to enhance the way emergencies are managed in the Caribbean country.

Belize Heroes also secured a grant to provide ambulance vehicles, VHF communications equipment and Basic Life Support (BLS) training which will result in the country’s first Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system in the Cayo District. This effort will help expand EMS from the capital city of Belmopan to three additional fire stations in Cayo District.

As part of the collaboration, Empact Northwest has been tasked with providing the training component, including dispatcher training at the outset, followed by risk and needs assessments and additional trainings in structural collapse, high-angle rescue and swift water rescue for the BNFS fire fighters in subsequent phases.

The country of Belize is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes, tropical storms and associated flooding due to its geographic location and topography. The goal of this collaboration is to improve the BNFS’ capacity to respond to these disasters and better serve the community. With the additional resources Belize Heroes has sourced, the training Empact Northwest is providing, and the Beacon technology from Trek Medics, we hope to greatly improve emergency response for the Belizean people.

Funding for Trek Medics participation was provided in part by a generous grant from Cisco Systems.

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Dispatcher training by Empat Northwest

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Responders receiving dispatcher training using Beacon

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Dispatcher training from Empact Northwest

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Beacon Web App dashboard displayed during training for Belize responders

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Responders getting to know Beacon mobile app, device mounted on response vehicle

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Beacon mobile app home screen displayed during training for Belize responders

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Beacon emergency dispatch is a cloud-based, do-it-yourself platform for emergency services that alerts, coordinates and tracks prehospital personnel using any mobile phone, with or without internet.

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