Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE Convergence Community Emergency Response Team (ConCERT) will on Saturday, September 26, conduct a practical Basic First Aid Training programme aimed at equipping members of the public with life-saving skills that can be used before professional medical assistance arrives.
The training, which will be conducted in local languages, will be held at Wingate Golf Club along Alpes Road in Harare, from 8.30am to 1.30pm.
Participants will pay US$20 and will receive an NSSA-accredited certificate upon completion of the training.
ConCERT, a community-based emergency response initiative founded by Mr Webster Jaricha, has been increasingly involved in supporting communities during emergencies and mobilising assistance through its network.
Mr Jaricha, who has previously described the organisation’s work as providing critical support during the period between an emergency occurring and the arrival of professional responders, said community training was important in strengthening emergency preparedness.
The organisation’s latest statistics show why such skills remain important.
Figures compiled from nine ConCERT WhatsApp groups between January and August 2026 recorded an estimated 1 395 requests for police assistance, 793 ambulance calls and 434 incidents attended by first responders.
The network also recorded 91 biker-related incidents, 120 pedestrian incidents, 546 casualties and 33 reported fatalities during the eight-month period.
June was the busiest month in several categories, recording 260 police assistance requests and 124 ambulance calls, alongside 22 biker incidents, 81 casualties, five fatalities and 61 first-responder attendances.
May recorded the highest number of first-responder attendances, with 75 incidents, while February and April recorded the highest number of fatalities, with eight deaths each.
The figures, which are estimated totals, demonstrate the demand for rapid community response and the importance of having people with basic first-aid knowledge at the scene of emergencies.
ConCERT has previously been involved in major emergency incidents, including road traffic accidents and the Budiriro rescue operation, where Mr Jaricha helped mobilise specialist assistance. The Herald previously reported that he worked to coordinate rescuers during the operation.
The organisation has also been involved in road-safety and emergency preparedness initiatives, with Mr Jaricha previously calling for greater community participation in life-saving skills. ConCERT was founded in May 2022 and has developed a WhatsApp-based community emergency response network.
The forthcoming training is therefore part of ConCERT’s broader effort to build a community of people capable of responding appropriately to emergencies while awaiting ambulances, police, fire services or other professional responders.
The organisation says the training is practical and hands-on, with participants being equipped with skills intended to help them make a difference in their communities.
Bookings are essential and can be made via WhatsApp on +263 719 118 027.
ConCERT Administrative Director, Mrs Patricia Townsend, said the organisation was also appealing for public support as it relied on donations to sustain its community emergency response operations, including training, mobilisation and other operational requirements.
“ConCERT relies on public support and donations to sustain our community emergency response operations, including training, mobilisation and other operational requirements,” said Mrs Townsend.
Members of the public, companies and organisations wishing to support the initiative can make contributions through EcoCash Merchant Number 002715 or contact Mrs Townsend on 0772 264 159 to discuss partnership initiatives.
ConCERT said the September training was open to everyone, reinforcing its message that emergency preparedness should not be confined to professional medical personnel.
With emergencies capable of occurring anywhere and at any time, the organisation is encouraging ordinary citizens to acquire basic skills that can help preserve life before professional assistance arrives.
