KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Five police stations in the Corporate Area have received first aid kits aimed at equipping police vehicles with the requisite tools to offer care to victims at accident scenes.

The police stations are: Matilda’s Corner, Papine, August Town, Gordon Town and Grants Pen.

The 15 emergency response trauma bags were handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams by President of the Kiwanis Club of Liguanea, David Ellis during a ceremony at the Commissioner’s Old Hope Road offices in St Andrew on June 17.

In expressing gratitude for the gifts, Dr Williams said they represent a “game changer” in police operational emergency response and will enable them to continue being professional while undertaking their various tasks.

“Every member of the police force is a trained first aider and that is necessary because in our line of work, we come across a number of injuries (whether) from violence, motor vehicle accidents or (natural) disasters,” he said.

He noted that oftentimes, police officers are the first responders at scenes of accidents and as such the kits will ensure that they are “able to take care of the injured” until medical professionals arrive.

“This donation represents proper tools for police officers. This is a landmark move in equipping the police, they could very well be the difference between life and death for citizens of Jamaica,” he said.

President, Kiwanis Club Liguanea, David Ellis said the gift will go a far way in assisting officers to do their jobs effectively.

He informed that the Club has embarked on the project to ensure that officers will have the vital tools needed in saving lives at accident scenes.

He said the kits have everything needed to address first aid emergencies including a pocket CPR mask that can be used on children or adults and a cervical collar.

President, Community and Workers of Jamaica (C&WJ) Cooperative Credit Union, Barrington Whyte said his company was delighted to partner with the Kiwanis Club of Liguanea to fund the initiative.

“We believe that every police vehicle in the island should have one of these kits,” adding that the C&WJ will continue to support the project.

He encouraged other corporate companies to partner with the JCF in a bid to ensure that they are provided with the requisite tools to save lives.