Exploring the Feasibility and Value of a Regional Network for First Responders (RN4FR) in the Caribbean Region

On 10 December 2021, Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN) organised a virtual symposium on ‘Integrating Disaster Risk Management with Emergency Services and Defence to Reduce Avoidable Deaths’ in the Caribbean region. A key conclusion of the Symposium was to create a regional network connecting all first responders operating in the Caribbean and their critical support partners, in order to facilitate familiarity and trust, promote interaction, and share knowledge and experience.

To assess the need for this network, ADN carried out a series of stakeholder consultations from April to July 2022 funded by the University of Leicester’s Knowledge Exchange Proof of Concept Fund with more than 100 participants across 21 Caribbean countries revealing a strong interest from all parties, as well as a positive reception from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to act as the network's convener. Following consultations, a “Roadmap for a Caribbean First Responders Community” has been prepared to realise the intentions expressed for connecting the key actors engaged in and supporting efforts to respond to disaster events in the countries and sovereign territories of the Caribbean.