The Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, Brigadier Martin G. Xuereb and Dr Raymond C. Xerri, the President of the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps (ERRC) presented certificates to the AFM Combat Medic instructors who earlier this year completed a medical training programme, a component of which took place in Italy.

Earlier this year, three AFM combat medics attended for a refresher training programme in order to maintain their current status as instructors in combat live saving and as combat medics. This training was organised by the ERRC and is part of a European Union Life Long Learning Program project for which the ERRC are the promoters. The ERRC also provided the training material required for the course.

Surgeon Captain Matthew Psaila who coordinated and supervised this training project said that the training carried out was divided in two. The first part comprised of a five day programme in Gozo followed by two weeks in Italy

During the training exercises held in Italy, several topics were covered. These included specialised skill training such as venous access, blood letting, intravenous fluid administration, creation of secondary surgical airway, wound cleaning and decompression of a collapsed lung. Training also incorporated casualty evacuation in times of crises with special emphasis on care under fire. VIP/ Security first Aid and training for Nuclear, Biological, Radiation and Chemical threats were areas that were also addressed during this course. At the end of the course, the combat medics were invited by Brig. Gen. Dr. Orsini to attend and view the training facilities at the Italian military medical school in Rome.

Col Harold Stivala, head of the AFM Training Branch, said that this was part of a force wide effort to be increasingly proactive in terms of training. He stated that the overseas component to this training enhances the scope of the training and exposes AFM participants to novel scenarios.

The ERRC President explained that the partnership with the AFM is going from strength to strength. He said that both organisations intend to reach the level of excellence the country deserves. During the presentation ceremony, the ERRC also donated specialised medical equipment that will be of use especially to the rescue section based at the Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta.