fp Turks and Caicos

The Turks and Caicos Emergency Medical Services is seeking qualified people to work in its new volunteer programme.

“We are beginning a recruitment campaign for the public to participate and train with the ambulance service,” said Patrick Riel, EMS Paramedic Supervisor/Training Officer.

The service is currently staffed by 11 on Providenciales and seven on Grand Turk, but they are not all full-time, Riel explained. With a government-wide hiring freeze, he’s looking to bolster the staff with volunteers.

Volunteers must be at least 18, in good physical shape, competent in written and spoken English, and have a clean criminal record. Also required is a “C” level CPR and First Aid from an approved provider.

The goal is to train volunteers to be Emergency Medical Responders to perform basic first aid skills and CPR, as is often the case with many police officers and firefighters.

Then some will train to be more advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, qualified to assess patients’ conditions and perform certain emergency medical procedures.

While they won’t be paid, volunteers can earn valuable certifications and experience that can lead to jobs in the field, Riel said.

Interested candidates should provide their resumés and references to Riel at the Myrtle Rigby Clinic or to the office of the Ministry of Health and Human Services above Royal Jewels in Providenciales. They can also e-mail the information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Riel at 244-2583.

“I hope you share in the excitement of this new step for the ambulance service,” Riel said. “We are wholeheartedly committed to providing safe, efficient, and current pre-hospital care to the public.”