Freeport, Grand Bahama – National Heroes Day, observed in The Bahamas earlier this month, places deserved attention on Bahamians whose service and courage strengthen the country, including the first responders who remain ready and willing to assist those in need.

In that spirit, Grand Bahama Shipyard recognizes 20 employees who have volunteered to serve as first responders on its Emergency Response Team (ERT). For the Shipyard, safety is about more than following procedures and wearing the proper equipment. It is also about the people willing to step forward when a colleague or community member needs help.

The ERT brings together employees from different trades and departments who balance their regular responsibilities with the additional commitment of emergency preparedness. In keeping with their readiness, the team recently completed training sessions including basic firefighting, first aid and CPR as well as confined-space rescue.

As ERT Lead, Renaldo Simms, Safety Officer, said the team’s strength lies in its willingness to serve, commitment to continuous training and readiness to respond when needed.

“Being part of the ERT is more than responding to emergencies. It is about prevention, preparedness, protecting lives, and continuing to build on the strong safety culture throughout the Shipyard,” he said.

Regular training helps team members remain prepared for changing conditions, while developing skills they can also carry into their everyday lives and the wider community.

Simms said he is encouraged by the team’s continued development and the growing interest from employees who want to volunteer.

Employees’ personal reasons for joining matter as much as the technical skills they develop. K’Ondre Linden, who has worked at the Shipyard for almost 12 years and joined the ERT in 2020, said he is motivated by his own experience of receiving help during a difficult time.

“I don’t think there’s a better feeling than actually helping someone,” Linden said. “When you can come to aid someone in distress, you’re just trying to do the Lord’s work, so to speak.”

For some members their commitment has family roots. Carlo Gibson grew up watching his parents help others and saw his father serve on the Shipyard’s ERT, inspiring him to follow the same path. “I enjoy helping people, I watched him [my daddy] enjoy helping people and as a group, I’ve realized that everybody who joined has the same passion, helping people and wanting to see people in better positions, that’s my why for joining the ERT”

Ray Russell Jr. said the recent training gave him a new appreciation for the demands of responding to emergencies.

“When that time comes, a lot of things go out of the window,” he said, reflecting on how difficult it can be to respond under pressure. The training, he added, has been an eye-opener.

“I hope that we don’t have to put this experience into action, but in the event that there is an emergency, I can truly say that I am prepared.”

The ERT not only reflects the culture of unity at the Shipyard, but it also supports the principles of the Shipyard’s Safety Absolute Program, which encourages employees and contractors to identify potential hazards, raise concerns and intervene before incidents occur. Supported by a safety committee and engagement throughout the organization, the programme emphasizes prevention, accountability and continuous learning.

The team’s volunteer spirit reinforces the Shipyard’s commitment to creating a safer working environment for everyone, demonstrating that a strong safety culture depends not only on training and procedures, but also on people willing to take responsibility for one another.