48 Toledo Villagers Graduate as Community Emergency Responders

Forty-eight residents from five Toledo District villages officially graduated last Thursday as members of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). The ceremony, held at Julian Cho Technical High School, is meant to strengthen community resilience and disaster preparedness.

The graduates, representing San Miguel, Na Lum Ca, San Pedro Columbia, San Jose, and San Antonio, completed intensive training over recent weeks. Their preparation included disaster risk reduction, participatory risk assessments, CPR and basic first aid, search and rescue, shelter management, and fire safety. To boost their readiness, the new CERT members will also be equipped with specialized gear to support wildfire response efforts.

Dressed in their new CERT shirts, the graduates—many of them women—proudly received their certificates, symbolizing both achievement and commitment to protecting their communities during times of crisis.

The initiative was spearheaded by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), with funding from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT). The investment reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding lives and natural resources in rural Belize.

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of the Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management, praised the graduates’ dedication.

“What we are witnessing today is more than the closing of a program – it is the beginning of a new chapter for these villages. Each CERT member represents a first line of defense in protecting lives, property, and livelihoods. Your training ensures that communities are not only better prepared but also more resilient in the face of disasters,” he said.

Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Education, Science, and Technology and Toledo West Area Representative, also highlighted the importance of community participation.

“I had the privilege of joining the people of Toledo on the frontlines during the 2024 wildfires. I saw first-hand the courage and determination of our villagers. This CERT program gives our communities the knowledge and tools they need, not just for today but for generations to come,” Requena noted.

National Emergency Coordinator of NEMO, Mr. Daniel Mendez, emphasized that the Toledo project represents the foundation for similar initiatives nationwide.