TRIM 2011 – Training Responders In the Maritimes

From April 14-16, 2011, 56 people from the Division and the Territory gathered in Saint John, New Brunswick to take part in the TRIM Training Symposium. TRIM is a biennial Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) gathering that equips officers, employees and volunteers for disaster response.

Participants took part in courses including Individual and Peer Crisis Intervention, National Disaster Training Plan – Train-the-Trainer, Advanced Incident Command Systems (Pilot Course), Disaster Food Service: Handling and Delivery, and Incident Command Liaison Officer.

Instruction was provided by our Territorial EDS Director, Major Rick Shirran; the EDS Director from BC, Mr. John McEwan; the EDS Director from Ontario Central East, Mr. Jeff Noel; and from the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, Mr. Paul MacKenzie.

On Thursday evening, following dinner, a Haiti Moderated Forum was conducted, featuring Salvation Army personnel who had served there, following the earthquake. On Friday evening, a banquet was held with the Maritime Divisional Commander addressing the delegates.

The Training Symposium was held in part to coincide with the arrival of the new Community Response Unit (CRU), donated by the Ballard Foundation. Training provided was part of the program to equip personnel in the Saint John area to operate the mobile canteen unit. The CRU is designed to dispense hot nutritious meals to those in need in the Saint John area. The Unit will also respond to fires, accidents, and other disasters in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to provide material, as well as physical, emotional and spiritual comfort for both survivors and first responders.