Barbados 2024

Tradewinds 2024: Strengthening Disaster Response in the Caribbean

In May 2024, representatives from Burnaby Urban Search and Rescue (BUSAR) participated in Tradewinds 2024, hosted in Barbados. This pivotal event, co-sponsored by the United States Southern Command and the Canadian Armed Forces Southern Command, is an annual military and emergency response exercise specifically designed to enhance disaster response capabilities in the Caribbean. The exercise promotes regional cooperation and builds the skills necessary for effective disaster response among the participating emergency response agencies.

During the event, BUSAR team members served as instructors and observers, engaging with personnel from the Barbados emergency response agencies. Our role was to share expertise and support the training of local agencies in urban search and rescue (USAR) operations, helping to refine their skills in managing complex disaster scenarios.

This experience allowed BUSAR to contribute to the enhancement of disaster preparedness in the Caribbean, while also facilitating the development of invaluable international relationships. These connections are vital, enhancing our operational capabilities and our readiness to respond to global emergencies.

BUSAR’s involvement in Tradewinds 2024 underscores our commitment to international cooperation and our dedication to advancing disaster response training for the Caribbean. We look forward to continuing our participation in such impactful events and bringing home practices that will improve our services and enhance community resilience within the Caribbean region.