Written By Leroy Smith
IN a high level assessment and review discussion yesterday in the boardroom of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Transport Minister Robeson Benn urged emergency response teams to explore the possibility of having their international counterparts present at similar activities to provide a unprejudiced assessment of their response to emergencies.The minister made the comment after witnessing a mandatory stimulus exercise at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport yesterday, in keeping with the certification requirements for all international airports.

Speaking with the media following the exercise at one of the hangers at the airport, Benn said that part of the certification process is also mandatory for there to be a table top exercise every six months while each year there is a partial simulation exercise while every two years there is the need to conduct, like yesterday afternoon, a mass casualty exercise.
He said that the exercises are very important to ensure that the airlines and other operators at the airport employ all the resources which ought to be called upon in the event of the reality of a situation like the one simulated yesterday afternoon.
He added that the exercise also allows for the testing of timely response with the proper resources, knowledge and expertise in bringing persons who are seriously injured and traumatized to a point where they can access medical attention and reduce the instances of negative impacts of an air crash or incident.
The Transport Minister underscored the need for maintaining the procedure and exercises which come with the certification and requirements of international airports. Asked to give his personal critique of the day’s activity he refused to get into the details but pointed out that there were aspects of the exercise which he observed need tightening up.
Benn said that based on what he saw there is need for more attention to aspects of the exercise and to impart some more energy in the operation and command and control with respect to the operation.
Meanwhile in accessing the medical response to the exercise, Chief Medical Officer, Shamdeo Persaud expressed pleasure that the two health institutions, the Diamond Hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital, responded in a timely manner after the stimulus crash.
He said they responded adequately with the ambulance and support staff as part of the standard requirement in any real scenario where staff from the health institutions will be expected to travel to the scene.
Upon their arrival there was the setting up of a care centre which was initially started by the health workers who are often stationed close by at the airport in the event of a situation and who would be assisted by a doctor from a nearby health centre.
His overall assessment was that the persons who provided the health services during the exercise seemed to be very well aware of what their role and responsibilities were and that assisted the process a whole lot.