Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
A LOCAL volunteer emergency response organisation, Convergence Community Emergency Response Team (ConCERT), on Thursday conducted a First Aid and CPR training programme aimed at equipping communities and workplace teams with critical life-saving skills.
The training, held at Wingate Golf Club along Alpes Road in Harare, attracted participants from several corporate organisations and members of the public drawn from different sectors.
The session focused on empowering ordinary citizens with practical emergency response skills required during road traffic accidents and other emergencies before professional medical assistance arrives.
Participants underwent practical training in emergency scene management, patient stabilisation, bleeding control, CPR awareness and safe emergency response procedures.
Speaking after the training, ConCERT founder Mr Webster Jaricha said empowering communities with first aid knowledge remained vital in saving lives during emergencies.
“We have realised that in many emergencies, particularly road traffic accidents, the first few minutes are extremely important. Communities must therefore be empowered with the knowledge and confidence to provide immediate assistance before professional medical teams arrive,” he said.
“Our vision is to create communities that are prepared, responsive and capable of preserving life during emergencies. Every trained individual becomes a potential life-saver.”
Mr Jaricha said ConCERT continued working towards strengthening community emergency response systems across Zimbabwe through affordable and accessible training initiatives.
“To save more lives, we need more trained people within our communities. Many accident victims can survive if immediate and correct first aid is administered before emergency services arrive,” he said.
Convergence Health and Safety director Mrs Patricia Townsend said there was growing need for communities, workplaces and families to prioritise first aid training as emergencies could occur at any time.
“First aid is no longer a skill reserved for health professionals only. Every workplace, every family and every community should have people trained to respond to emergencies,” she said.
“This training programme is about empowering Zimbabweans with practical knowledge that can save lives at home, at work, on the road or within communities. Preparedness can make the difference between life and death.”
Mrs Townsend said ConCERT remained committed to ensuring emergency response training remained affordable and accessible to ordinary Zimbabweans.
“Our goal is to build safer communities through continuous education, training and rapid response initiatives. We believe every life is important and communities must work together to protect one another,” she said.
ConCERT offers the community-focused training sessions for US$30 per participant in an effort to encourage widespread participation and strengthen emergency preparedness within communities.
The organisation applauded the strong support shown by participating corporates and encouraged more companies, schools, churches, community groups and individuals to participate in future training sessions.
Apart from first aid and CPR training, ConCERT also offers fire safety management, occupational safety and water safety training programmes targeting companies, institutions and community groups.
Operating under Convergence Health and Safety, ConCERT is a volunteer-based emergency support and first responder initiative focused on improving emergency response and preserving life within communities.
The organisation operates a volunteer emergency response network and a 24-hour control room system used to co-ordinate assistance during emergencies in Harare and other parts of the country.
