VKS officers standing at attention.
PHILIPSBURG--The Volunteer Corps VKS conducted an “alarm training” at the VKS office on Sunday, August 25, to determine VKS’ state of readiness.
With the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season currently upon St. Maarten, VKS officers were put on high alert and all members were reminded of their obligation to serve where needed. VKS played an important role in assisting with security and in distributing food and water during and after the passing of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Reporting to the training were 26 VKS members, with an additional 15 members on duty. Other members were unable to attend as they were working at their private-sector jobs.
VKS said it would continue to hold weekly trainings. In September and October, trainings will focus on handling handguns and rifles, reporting and paperwork procedures, crowd management and first aid.
Several VKS members have recently entered training programmes for the Police Force, prison guards and other public safety organisations, to serve full-time in those sectors.
VKS is a paramilitary organisation which assists in the security of St. Maarten at the government’s discretion. VKS officers have been responsible for exterior security at the Pointe Blanche prison since December last year. They have also recently returned to assisting Simpson Bay police station patrols and providing security at Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Cay Bay.
