Thirty-Nine Timorese Successfully Graduated from USAID's Master Trainers Program for Incident Command System

Dili, June 14, 2024 — Today, 39 Timorese Incident Command System (ICS) Master Trainers, including six women and thirty-three men, graduated from a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-supported program.  ICS is a standardized approach to coordination for emergency responders.  Master Trainer graduates come from various Timorese institutions including the Civil Protection Authority (CPA), National Police, Environmental Department, firefighters, Ambulance Department, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Disaster Emergency Center.

Since 2014, the United States has provided $675,000 for emergency response training to Timor-Leste through its Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).  Our partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) aims to integrate relevant components of the U.S. National Incident Management System into the disaster management systems of partner countries.

Through this regional program, USFS supports the Government of Timor-Leste to develop and enhance ICS capabilities and improve national staff capacity to respond to natural disasters through detailed training, exercises, mentorships, and simulations.

“I hope with the presence of our graduated ICS Master Trainers in Timor-Leste, we can expand ICS knowledge to all relevant institutions, helping to provide priority responses during any kind of crisis in the future,” said U.S. Embassy Dili Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Eric Sheffield.

The ICS Master Trainers graduation event was attended by U.S. Embassy Dili representative Acting DCM Eric Sheffield, Secretary of State for Civil Protection Domingos Mariano Reis, President of the Civil Protection Authority Ismael da Costa Babo, the USFS Program Manager Martha Williamson, Interim IOM Chief of Mission Kristina Carreon, and representatives from first responder institutions in Timor-Leste such as National Police, firefighters, Ambulance Department, and other relevant institutions.

About USAID

Through USAID, the United States Embassy to Timor-Leste is contributing nearly $92 million between 2021 and 2025, bolstering Timor-Leste's economy and promoting good governance. Since Timor-Leste's independence, USAID has contributed over $323 million, fostering inclusive and peaceful development for a more prosperous, healthy, and self-reliant nation.

Media Laloran Tasi Mane

14 Juñu 2024