Emergency services get ‘cutting-edge technology’

ABarbados Minister of Science and Technology Martha Cadell has announced that the electronic emergency hotline is one of the major upcoming technological upgrades for the Barbados Police Service, Queen Elizabeth Hospital and other emergency responders.

Kader revealed at the opening of the Department of Transportation’s Technology Summer Camp at St. Michael’s School on Monday that implementing the electronic 911 system is part of the comprehensive modernization plan.

The e-911 system will integrate technology into the way police, fire and ambulance services respond to emergencies.

She explained that one of the main projects receiving funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is to bring the police department “into the 21st century in terms of engaging the community and solving crimes.”

“We are working with the police department to modernize the way it works, unlock a lot of its own capacity, and make sure we are not using police force or resources to do things that technology can help us solve,” said Carder. “With the support of the IDB, we have invested a lot of resources to modernize policing, including the use of tablets in the field and uploading information directly, and how we equip police vehicles with various devices that allow us to collect information on the spot, deploy information to different parts of the island, and ensure that people within the police force understand what is happening and know how to respond.”

The Minister of Innovation said there will also be plans to establish a health management information system that will integrate the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, polyclinics and private medical institutions.

“This will improve things like how quickly people get their test results,” she explained. “We can securely give you access to your data and allow other healthcare providers to respond quickly.”

Cardell places these technological advances in the broader context of education and innovation.”

“The purpose of this camp is to open our imaginations to create and solve problems,” she said. “That’s really the foundation for a transformation in education to enhance a culture of curiosity.”

The minister also revealed plans to collaborate with the University of the West Indies on information technology courses to create an artificial intelligence field.

Cadell stressed the importance of education reform, saying: “Education reform is not just about passing exams, such as the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination, but about updating the education system and teaching children to create.”

About 120 students are taking part in the science and technology camp, which runs until August 23 and is themed “Amazing Adventures in STEM”. Kader praised the involvement of parents and said she was “touched” by the number of parents who attended the camp’s opening ceremony to show their support. (BGIS/BT)