Cayman’s reservists were front and centre as the country coped with the aftermath of a brush with Tropical Storm Helene.
The storm brought heavy rain, flooding, power cuts and other damage in its wake. Up to eight Caymans Islands Regiment reservists stepped up to join other services mobilised to deal with the damage.
The troops, most from the full-time staff, including commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Roger Carter, were tasked with filling and handing out flood prevention sandbags at four locations around the island.
Captain Gabe Rabess said, “We worked quite hard from Sunday morning through to Tuesday afternoon, when we stood down.
“We were at locations across the island, distributing sandbags, filling sandbags and generally helping people with support and advice for their preparation.”
He added, although it was not a full-blown hurricane, previous experience showed that there was a high risk of problems from flooding.
“It was important some full-time members of staff got out there and assisted. We helped Public Works and we all worked together as part of a team,” Rabess said.
He added members of the public at the four locations, which included West Bay fire station and a point just off the Linford Pearson Highway, appreciated the work of the reservists.
“There were only a few of us and the community was helping to fill the sandbags as well, rather than just standing off and watching us do all the work,” Rabess said.
“It was great. It was the ‘Caymankind’ sort of thing. We had ladies in high heels helping tie sandbags, labourers and schoolkids. Everybody came together to help.”
Rabess said that the regiment helping during crisis situations helped boost its visibility and encouraged interest in part-time service.
“Our last recruiting was in 2023 and we have had a lot of interest in people wanting to join us,” he added.
“We have a road show coming up in mid-October. It will go to the districts around Cayman, including Cayman Brac and we’ll be talking about what we are and what we do.”
Related Videos
