Packages and awards were presented to the 275 graduates at a closing ceremony last Wednesday.

The programme was organised by the NYS in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other stakeholders, including the Jamaica Red Cross, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, programme director of the NYS, Howard Gardener, said 1,200 persons have been trained during the youth service's four-year programme.

"Since 2006, the NYS has trained more than 1,200 individuals from vulnerable communities in the island that are out there and ready to be engaged in terms of disaster mitigation and disastermanagement," he said.

He said that participants would be attached to disaster committees in their respective parishes for six months, during which time they would receive a stipend.

Further training

Additionally, he said, participants would be provided with further training courses and would attend disaster training workshops organised by the ODPEM.

Gardener, who represented executive director of the NYS, Rev Adinhair Jones, called onthe graduates to share their knowledge and continue serving their communities after their placement period.

Participant André Shagoury said the training has helped him to be more disciplined and has taught him the value of hard work, dedication and team work.

"I am better equipped to deal with any emergency situation. The fire service came in, and we did fire drills and learned to effectively deal with a fire and steps that can be taken to prevent a fire," he told the Jamaica Information Service.