Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Training Held in St. George’s, Grenada

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Conner Foy | 20230923-N-AO868-0047 St. George's, Grenada (Sept. 21, 2023) Members of Grenada’s Royal Police Force and local first responders partnered with U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Public-Private Cooperation Office (PPC), U.S. SOUTHCOM Non-Federal Entities (NFEs) and U.S. Navy personnel attached to the USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) to conduct HADR training in support of Continuing Promise 2023. Continuing Promise 2023 marks the 13th mission to the region since 2007 and the first involving USNS Burlington. The mission will also foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Conner Foy)  

ST. GEORGE'S, GRENADA

09.21.2023

Story by Lt.j.g. Nickolas West 

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – Members of Grenada’s Royal Police Force and local first responders partnered with U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) Public-Private Cooperation Office (PPC), U.S. SOUTHCOM Non-Federal Entities (NFEs) and U.S. Navy personnel attached to the USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) in a collaborative effort to engage in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) training at Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency Headquarters and at Grenada’s National Cricket Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada, Sept. 19-21, 2023.

The training took place during the fourth and final stop of the Continuing Promise 2023 mission in St. George’s, Grenada. It consisted of approximately 66 total participants to include personnel from Grenada’s Ministry of Health, National Disaster Management Agency, Coast Guard, St. George’s University, the Royal Grenada Police Force, U.S. Navy Personnel, and U.S. SOUTHCOM NFEs.

The training was divided into three separate days. The first day of training consisted of a Pacific Disaster Center overview and a Disaster Aware presentation. The afternoon portion consisted of a table top exercise co-led by the Ministry of Health and National Disaster Management Agency. The exercise was based on a scenario simulating a tropical cyclone impacting the General Hospital of Grenada; this training allowed participants to formulate a standard operating procedure, best response practices, and a hospital evacuation decision guide in order to better prepare, respond, and recover from a natural disaster. USSOUTHCOM served as an advisory role for the development and execution of the table top exercise.

On the second day of training, USSOUTHCOM NFE Partner, My Medic, provided basic lifesaving techniques and practices to 18 non-medical host nation personnel from the Ministry of Health, Police, National Disaster Management Agency, Coast Guard, and Royal Grenadian Police Force. My Medic also donated tourniquets to each participant.

On the final day, My Medic led another training that consisted of a disaster response class and field training exercise for 32 first responders from the Ministry of Health, Royal Grenadian Police Force Special Service Unit, Firefighters, members of Grenada’s Coast Guard, St. George’s University personnel, and members of Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency. Throughout the exercise, participants worked together during a simulated disaster scenario in order to enhance interoperability and interagency coordination.

This year’s Continuing Promise mission is being supported by expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Burlington (T-EFP 10) with stops in Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada with a focus on medical engagements, HADR, women’s peace and security, and community outreach.

"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our Grenadian counterparts throughout today’s exercise. This training has not only strengthened our own disaster response capabilities but has also fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Conner Foy. “By working together, we've not only honed our skills but have also laid the foundation for a stronger partnership in the face of future challenges. The knowledge and experience gained here will undoubtedly benefit both our nations, and I'm confident that the bonds we've forged will continue to make a meaningful impact.”

U.S. SOUTHCOM’s PPC Office currently has 12 non-federal entities and interagency partners participating in the Continuing Promise 2023 mission. Public Private Cooperation partners are enhancing the mission with disaster response expertise and humanitarian aid donations in support of all mission stops. The U.S. utilizes Non-Federal Entities in order to respond quicker and more effectively to assist partner nations in the event of a crisis.

Throughout the duration of Continuing Promise 2023 partner nation participants and U.S. SOUTHCOM NFE volunteers will vary during each mission stop. In each country, members of the national disaster agency, national police, national firefighters, and the Red Cross have expressed plans to participate in their respective countries.

Throughout the Continuing Promise 2023 mission in Grenada, U.S. SOUTHCOM’s PPC Office and U.S. SOUTHCOM NFE partners My Medic, GOOD 360, Lift Non-Profit Logistics, Pacific Disaster Center, United Nations’ UNOCHA and UNWFP, and USAID/BHA participated and led HADR-related engagements, trainings, and community events.



Continuing Promise 2023 marks the 13th mission to the region since 2007 and the first involving USNS Burlington. The mission will also foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT.

For more information visit:

www.fourthfleet.navy.mil

www.dvidshub.net/feature/UNITAS

• Date Taken: 09.21.2023
• Date Posted: 09.22.2023 12:47
• Story ID: 454065
• Location: ST. GEORGE'S, GD