Roseau, Dominica – The IFECASA IWD25 Women in Service Retreat concluded on Sunday, March 9th, after three days of transformative discussions, professional development, and cultural exchange. This landmark event, the first of its kind in the region, gathered women
from across the Caribbean who serve in fire, risk, disaster, and emergency response fields to celebrate their achievements, build professional networks, and advance gender equality in service industries.
Among the distinguished attendees were three officers from Antigua and Barbuda, Inspector of Police Evette Henry, Corporal Janet Jackson, and Constable Tedra Prophet, who participated in the retreat with the support of their Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Vivian Parker. Their presence underscored the commitment of Antigua and Barbuda’s protective services to fostering gender equity and professional development in emergency response. Each officer was awarded an IFECASA Certificate of Participation, acknowledging their completion of 29 hours of IFE CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits.
The retreat opened with a Welcome Address from IFECASA
Secretary, Jenelle Ross-Mc Intyre, and CFO Wayne Letang of
the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Service. Both speakers emphasized the historic nature of this event and its importance in fostering a unified approach to capacity building across the region.
The Keynote Speech was delivered by Her Excellency, President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica, who highlighted the significance of her patronage as the first female President and the first Head of State of indigenous descent. As a former Permanent Secretary for Gender Affairs, she reinforced the strides being made by Dominica in alignment with SDG Goal 5: Gender Equality, citing the increasing presence of women in leadership across the public sector.
Professional Development and Knowledge Sharing
Participants engaged in dynamic CPD sessions throughout the retreat, including:
∙ Assistant Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, who spoke on “The Fundamentals of Being a Career Woman”, particularly in male-dominated fields such as fire and emergency response.
∙ Director of Gender Affairs, Mr. Lester Guy, who discussed the evolving gender landscape across the Caribbean.
∙ Vice Chair of IFECASA and EMS Expert, Ms. Amaly St. Cyr, who led a session on the psychosocial needs of women in protective and emergency services and strategies for resilience and professional success.
Giving Back to the Community on International Women’s Day
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, the attendees came together for a community outreach initiative, donating vouchers to the Ministry of Gender Affairs to support single mothers affected by domestic violence. They also visited the local infirmary, providing care and companionship to elderly women, reinforcing the ethos of service beyond their professional roles.
An open panel discussion followed, chaired by Chaguanas Borough Councillor, Mrs. Stacey Murphy from Trinidad. The discussion featured the Permanent Secretary of the Dominica Ministry of National Security, who emphasized the importance of understanding governance structures within which service professionals operate and the avenues available for support and development.
Honouring Trailblazers in Service
The retreat honoured local female leaders, including:
∙ Her Excellency, President Sylvanie Burton
Chief Annette Sanford delivered a powerful message on breaking barriers for indigenous women and overcoming historical burdens, urging attendees to be tenacious in pursuit of leadership roles.
A Cultural and Inspirational Conclusion
The final day of the retreat featured a visit to the Kalinago Territory, arranged by Discover Dominica Authority, one of the event’s key sponsors. Attendees immersed themselves in the rich culture of Dominica’s indigenous people, reinforcing the event’s theme of heritage, leadership, and empowerment.
The closing ceremony on Sunday included remarks by IFECASA Vice Chair, Ms. Amaly St. Cyr, followed by a Vote of Thanks from IFECASA Community Lead, Ms. Arvolon Wilson Smith.
IFECASA’s Commitment to Professional Growth
IFECASA remains dedicated to empowering professionals in fire, risk, disaster, and emergency response across the Caribbean. Through initiatives like this retreat, IFECASA continues to create opportunities for standardized skills development, professional certification, and regional collaboration.
With the success of the IWD25 Women in Service Retreat, IFECASA reaffirms its commitment to advancing gender equality in emergency response and ensuring women in service have access to mentorship, training, and leadership opportunities.
Acknowledgments
This event was made possible through the generous support of:
∙ The Association of Firefighters, which subsidized the attendance of local female firefighters.
∙ Discover Dominica Authority and the Build Back Equal Project, key local partners. ∙ Regional industry leaders, including XstremeMD.
Media & Press Inquiries
We invite regional media houses, print, television, radio, and online news platforms to feature this milestone event and share its impact. This retreat stands as a beacon of progress for women in uniformed and emergency services across the Caribbean and South America.
