Training Academy
Center for Emergency Medicine & Technical Rescue Training
As a leader in emergency preparedness training in the region, the St. Croix Rescue
Academy “Center for Emergency Medicine and Technical Rescue Training” offers a wide range of Disaster Preparedness, Technical Rescue, and Emergency Medical Care training. Established in 1986, the Academy was created to meet the training and continuing education needs of the Department. Training for personnel begins at the Rescue Academy where specialist in each area cover the theory, fundamental knowledge and practical skills required for graduation, before new recruits are assigned to duty.
Our International training division offers Medical First Responder (MFR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Search and Rescue courses across the Caribbean and South America. The Academy works to enhance the ability of the fire and rescue service and allied professionals to deal more effectively with day-to-day fire and medical related emergencies, as well as disaster response.
Our staff consists of practicing Physicians, Paramedics Firefighters, and EMT’s who are certified educators and trainers for the basic to the most advanced programs. Since most of our personnel are still active care providers as well as instructors, we are kept up to date on the latest advances in equipment, emergency management, and treatment modalities.
All training programs are designed to meet local and (US) National Standards for certification. Along with being a continuing education provider for the emergency services community, we are an authorized Regional Training Center for the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council and the American Safety and Health Institute. Our faculty is certified to instruct most nationally recognized EMS/Rescue continuing education courses.
The Academy provides training and certification, representing several industry leaders such as US Department of Homeland Security, Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP), FEMA, Department of Transportation (DOT), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and BTLS International.
An experienced team of professionals manages our EMT training program. On-site training is available for anyone interested in becoming trained in Emergency Medical Services practices and techniques. Through lectures, practical skills, laboratory and clinical training, students are prepared to treat patients in the field and en route to the hospital. During the course, students will ride along with an ambulance service affiliated with the program. Students are also required to complete a 40 hours internship, observing the operations of a Hospital Emergency Room at one of your islands’ local hospital.
We also offer a variety of dynamic, individualized continuing education seminars and workshops. We are dedicated to quality consulting and training, and strive to make participants feel comfortable with using our medical protocols and rescue training rather than merely “being certified.”
St. Croix Rescue Academy specializes in providing international on-site rescue training and continuing education programs for:
- EMS RESPONDERS
- FIRE FIGHTERS
- RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS
- LAW ENFORCEMENT
- DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PERSONNEL
- INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL
Letter From the Chief
On behalf of the Board of Trustees and Executive Staff, I would like to extend heartiest congratulations for wanting to become part of St. Croix Rescue Squad Training Program. Since the squad’s inception in 1981, we have pioneered vehicle extrication and emergency rescue in the Caribbean. We are members of the International and World Rescue Symposiums that meet every year to train and compete in different parts of the world. In addition, under joint auspices with VITEMA (Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency management Agency), we conduct training and technical consultation to Caribbean islands as they organize their Emergency Services.
Here at home, we are responsible for all marine, terrestrial and aviation rescues. In addition, we provide the following services: medical back-up for EMS, on-scene medical care for the Fire Department, training of the police SWAT team, Aeromedical Ground Transport and other civil, business and private entities. All members of St. Croix Rescue are volunteer members of VITEMA; therefore, we are also a part of the civil emergency and disaster response team.
We are a nonprofit, volunteer agency consisting of members who are in Law Enforcement, EMS, Fire Prevention and Suppression, teachers, business and various trades. Each member is considered a professional dedicated to our goals of swift emergency response and superior service. Our paramilitary infrastructure provides ample opportunity for you to achieve personal and professional growth via dedication and superior performance.
At this time, we are considering candidates for an upcoming St. Croix Rescue Trainee class. If you would like to save lives and would like the opportunity to see the world, ST. CROIX RESCUE SQUAD WANTS YOU!!!
Sincerely,
Gregory N. Richards, Chief
Letter From the Medical Director
Dear Prospective Member:
I will like to thank you for your interest in our organization. We are a non-government, 100 % volunteer Emergency Response Unit. We provide land, air and sea rescue, twenty four hours per day and 365 days per year. We work closely with the Department of Health-EMS, VITEMA, VIPD, and V.I. Fire Service. In addition to this, we also conduct classes and medical coverage to civic, private and business groups.
We are considered one of the top twenty five Rescue teams worldwide. As a result of this prestigious honor, we have trained and competed with the best international rescue organizations in the United States, Canada and Europe. In addition, we have been asked to host both the International and World Extrication Competition and Learning Symposiums in the future.
Currently, we are involved with our most ambitious projects which is the development of our Training Academy and the implementation of advance EMS programs.
As a member of St. Croix Rescue, you will become a vital link in the survival of individuals whose life, limb and/or property is threatened due to sudden illness, trauma or disaster. We have set very high standards for our members expecting and accepting nothing less than 100% of your very best.
If you are committed to excellence, dedication, loyalty, honesty and saving lives, St. Croix Rescue has a position for you. Please take a few minutes, complete the online application.
With warm regards,
Arakere B. Prasad, M.D., FACEP
Medical Director / Director of Training
Training - Policy
RESCUE SQUAD RECRUIT TRAINING POLICY
Attendance at authorized training programs is mandatory except in the following cases.
Member has to appear in court
Member is sick and/or is hospitalized
Member has been excused by any officer of the training dept. or the chief.
A staff member of the training dept. will record the attendance of members at the training sessions.
In-service certificates will be awarded to each member who successfully completes the respective training course.
All recruits are expected to report to class in long pants, although blue dickies are preferred. The squad will provide trainee T-shirts which you are required to wear. In the event it is dirty, a white or blue T-shirt is acceptable.
During field training sessions, the recruits are required to wear coveralls and boots, and other protective gear, when necessary.
All accepted organizations or students are expected to attend their scheduled programs. If for some reason attendance is not possible, please notify any member of the ST. Croix Rescue Academy as soon as possible so that alternate arrangements can be made. Failure to make timely notification could affect future enrollment.
All classroom training, unless otherwise notified, will be held at #102 Richmond, C’sted (Dr. Green’s Medical Building). Location of field training will be announced.
Application for enrollment is required for all courses, except for new rescue squad recruits and may be made by completing the attached enrollment form. The deadline for enrollment is three weeks prior to the course.
Community members may use this form to apply for unique or specialized training provided for business and industry personnel.
Course offerings, dates and locations are subject to changes or cancellation based on enrollment, availability of instructors, or lack of facilities or funding.
CEU’s have been approved by the V.I. Dept. of Health EMS Division for EMT’s and paramedics who participate in the applicable programs. A certificate of attendance or completion will be awarded to those who attend.
Prerequisite For Graduation
This course emphasizes basic sentence structuring skill and the ability to structure reports, utilizing the five Ms. The accuracy and completeness of reports will be emphasized.
This course is geared to instruct the recruit in basic life saving methods that can be used to rescue and save one who is encountering difficulty in the water.
This program will provide hands-on-training in stretching, calisthenics and jogging exercises. Recruits are taught how to strengthen their bodies and how to improve their cardiovascular function. They will be required to pass two physical training test.
This course instructs the recruits in radio communication; use of the rescue two way radios, using 10 codes and how to actually apply them in practice scenarios.
Recruits will be instructed in the latest techniques and procedures on how to safely remove accident victims who are entrapped in motor vehicles.
This course is designed to instruct the students on all aspects of high angle rescue and basic rappelling technique.
All recruits will be required to successfully complete the basic DOT Emergency Medical Care first responder course. Remedial training will be offered to those who have failed, with the intent to re-test and pass.
This course instructs the recruits in the rules and regulations of the St. Croix Rescue Squad.
This course is geared to educate EMS providers on how to protect themselves from bloodborne diseases.
Instructor: Avon Chesterfield, EMT-P
This course teaches you how to recognize a hazardous problem; gather basic information on the nature of the incident, report back and provide feed back and information gathered, and protect the public form any contamination. NOTE: This course will not certify you to actually handle hazardous material that has spilled.
This program is intended to teach the principles and techniques associated with safely accessing and rescuing a patient trapped in a confined space. The course theory and practical, in may cases, exceeds OSHA, ANSI and NIOSH standards. Students will learn (a) preparation and response (b) on arrival how to size up a situation (c) hazard control and mitigation (d) patient access and extrication and (e) use of special equipment such as air quality monitors, rescue tripods, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), ventilation fans, etc.
This training provides a broad overview of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System operating under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Urban Search & Rescue is a component of the Federal Response Plan under Emergency Support Function Nine (ESF-9). Participants in this comprehensive program will be trained in all aspects of Technical Search & Rescue Operations as outlined by FEMA National US&R Task Force.
This course explores how communication can be improved; the barriers to effective communication; the importance of frame of reference and attitude. Recruits will be required to actively participate. Functional competencies with respect to the use of modern office communication equipment such as fax machines, and computers will be explored.
Light-Frame Construction
There are few challenges a rescuer will face that are more dangerous than rescuing a person from a collapsed building. Physical and environmental hazards can make this complicated situation even more hazardous than one would expect. This advanced course is intended to teach the principles and techniques associated with safely working in and around light-frame construction buildings that have collapsed and some techniques used for rescuing a victim from a collapsed structure. Students will learn safety guidelines for working near collapsed structures; various cribbing and shoring techniques; locating victims using electronic devices and search dogs.
EMS Driving: The safe way is a certification course for every one involved in Emergency Vehicle Driving. The course instructs participants in effective defensive driving techniques. Students will learn proper skid control procedures, elements of safe stopping distances, Natural Laws of Friction, Inertia, Gravity, Kinetic Energy, Force of Impact, etc.. The course includes at least 14 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind-the-wheel training.
TRAINING CATALOG
Technical Rescue Awareness
Urban Search and Rescue
Collapsed Building Rescue: Light Frame Construction
Rope Rescue Technician / High Angles Rescue
Basic Rappelling
Tactical Rappelling
Basic & Advanced Vehicles Extrication
Aquatic Rescue and Water Safety
Officer Candidate Training Program
Emergency Vehicle Operations Course(EVOC)
Basic and Advanced First Aid
CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
MFR - Medical First Responder
EMT-B - Emergency Medical Technician-Basic
BTLS - Basic Trauma Life Support
Emergency Medical Technician Continuing Education
Bloodborne Pathogens
CPR - Instructor Course - AHA,NSC or ASHI
Awareness Level
Operations Level
Hazardous Materials Awareness Level
Hazardous Materials Operations Level
Hazardous Materials Technician Level
Flammable Liquids and Gases
Industrial Safety
Portable Fires Extinguishers
Confined Space Rescue
(Coordinated through St. Croix Rescue Training Program and VITEMA Training Office)
Emergency Program Manager
Conducting Basic Fire Prevention Inspections
Fire Arson Detection
Fires Services Supervision:
Increasing Team Effectiveness Fires Service Supervision:
Increasing Personal Effectiveness Fire Fighter Safety and Survival:
The Company Officer's Responsibility
Water Safety
Open Water Diving
Advance Open Water Diving
Rescue Diver Training
Dive Master
Pediatric CPR - AHA and NSC
Heartsaver AED
Healthcare Provider
Community First Aid and Safety
Mass Causality Incident Management - MCI
Incident Command System,- (ICS 100 - 400)
Intro to Emergency Management
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
This is primarily to train potential Rescue Squad officers and present officers in management and supervision problem solving, tabletop scenarios and strategic planning.