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Women Peace & Security Endurance & Mental Dexterity Challenge

Military teams from several countries showed their physical and mental prowess during an early morning test of these skills at the Barbados Defence Force’s Paragon Base in Christ Church.

It was all part of Exercise TRADEWINDS 2024, dubbed the Women Peace and Security Endurance and Mental Dexterity Challenge.

Attracting over 50 competitors from eight countries, teams comprised both men and women from Barbados, the United States of America, Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Mexico, Peru, Martinique, and the Dominican Republic.

In the first phase of the exercise, participants started at Long Beach and ran 200 metres, then proceeded uphill, until they finished at the Grenade Range Obstacle staging area, where they had to maneuver around five to six obstacles.

Subsequently, they completed a mental dexterity test, where they were given a hurricane or disaster scenario and had to answer several questions correctly.

According to Lead Planner Lieutenant Coast Guard, Karen Carvalho of the Barbados Defence Force, the challenges were introduced as an opportunity for nations to work together.

She noted that everything went “very well” and said the event was the first of many initiatives they were trying to introduce.

“In this particular aspect of the competition the teams were not operating as their countries, they had to pull numbers and so, what that did was cause the countries to mix and the purpose behind that was so that we would promote inter-regional operability.

“Because more than likely when we are responding to hurricane/ disaster relief, we work together as [the] Regional Security System and [as] more than one country,” she stressed.

Barbados copped first place in the obstacle run, with Jamaica coming second and The Bahamas third. For the mental challenge, the Dominican Republic and Belize came first, followed by the United States and Peru, while Barbados and Belize finished in third place.

During the closing ceremony, Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, Marsha Caddle, presented the winners with their medals. (PR/GIS)

Local

EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

Local

Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

Local

SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George