ADRA and Adventist Medical Cadets Certified to Strengthen Emergency Response

On Sunday, March 1, a group of volunteers from ADRA and the Adventist Medical Cadets successfully completed their forklift operation certification through the Bureau of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration.

This group is part of a broader ongoing training initiative through which volunteers will specialize in various technical and operational areas. The goal is to strengthen the capacity to respond and provide effective service to the community during disasters, emergencies, or crises that may arise in the country.

ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, present in more than 120 countries. Its work focuses on sustainable community development, humanitarian action, emergency response, and poverty reduction, without distinction of creed, race, or social status.

In Puerto Rico, particularly in the eastern region of the island, these training efforts reflect a commitment to serving not only God but also society by providing trained and certified personnel to handle critical situations.

The Adventist Medical Cadets are a quasi-military organization belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and operating under the administration of the ADRA Department of the Puerto Rico Conference. Their origins date back to World War II, when the need arose to send young people as non-combatants in a context where military service was mandatory.

Currently, the organization is comprised of young people and adults from 16 to 99 years old.

What do they do?

Their primary mission is to serve God and the community. The Adventist Medical Cadets receive specialized training that enables them to respond effectively to emergency and crisis situations. This training fosters the holistic development of the individual—physical, mental, and spiritual—promoting a healthy balance.

Furthermore, they possess modern knowledge in medical assistance and emergency management. All training received is duly certified by regulatory agencies and entities. The program also contributes to the development of discipline, social responsibility, and the formation of productive citizens, helping to prevent juvenile delinquency and school dropout rates.

With initiatives like this, ADRA and the Adventist Medical Cadets reaffirm their commitment to being prepared to serve when most needed, demonstrating that training, faith, and community service can come together to bring hope, support, and concrete assistance to communities in Puerto Rico during times of greatest vulnerability.