Firdous Qadri
Community Disaster Preparedness Training was organised by Kashmir Welfare Trust and Nigeen Tourist Traders Association, in collaboration with Civil Defence, Srinagar and J&K State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), at Bilaliya Educational Institute, Nawab Bagh, Baghwanpora-Lal Bazar, Srinagar today. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Aamir Ali, Nodal Officer SEOC & Dy. Chief Warden Civil Defence, Srinagar, who said that the community is always the first responder, in any disaster situation and should become an integral part of the disaster response teams. He said that the identified volunteers would be imparted five days basic training, in which they would be taught life-saving skills, including first-aid, fire-fighting and basic search & rescue techniques.
The volunteers will be provided with certificates and enlisted as Civil Defence Volunteers. Aamir Ali said that the involvement of the community helps promote a culture of safety. He said that it’s imperative that administration and community volunteers build a strong relationship with each other. He asked the volunteers to create awareness about safety measures and implored them to dissuade people, from walking or playing on frozen water bodies so that no untoward incident occurs.
Chairman, Kashmir Welfare Trust and Nigeen Tourist Traders Association Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo welcomed the participants and said that the volunteers of Nigeen are very enthusiastic and eager to learn life-saving skills.
He assured that after training, the volunteers would act as first responders, in case of any incident in their area. He said that the volunteers have been provided an opportunity to learn essential knowledge and skills in disaster mitigation and this would help address implementation challenges, in a systematic manner. Deputy Controller Civil Defence, Manzoor Ahmed, DySP, said that Civil Defence has been imparting training to members of the community and the response has been very encouraging.
The team from SEOC consisted of Mohammed Suhail Wani and Bilquees Dar, Consultants, Disaster Management and Arshad Ahmed War, Incharge Communication EOC. The training was imparted by the Civil Defence team headed by Tariq Ahmed Shah. The trainers included Aijaz Ahmed, Shoukat Ahmed, Syed Abid and Bilal Ahmed.