4th Phase Training for Aapda Mitra Volunteers kick started in Tura

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 10, 2022

The Final and 4^th Phase Training for community volunteers under Upscaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme started from today the 10^th October, 2022 to 22^nd October, 2022 at SMELC, Dakopgre, Tura. The program was organized by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), West Garo Hills Tura.

Stressing on the importance of Aapda Mitra or Friends of the Disaster, the Chief Guest of the Inaugural function, Dolrich B G Momin, Project Director, DRDA and CEO, DDMA, West Garo Hills said that the volunteers once trained would work as First Responders and help those in need when disaster whether natural or man-made occurs in the neighbourhood. He further informed that this training is aimed to minimize the loss of precious lives during disasters while highlighting the importance of training which is hoped to deliver for the interest of the community as well as our family members.

Mentioning that the training is being conducted under the directives of the Government of India, he said that this is the last phase of the total 200 volunteers training in the district with 50 numbers in each phase and these Aapda Mitra volunteers would be given training on First Aid, Search and rescue operations, Fire & Emergency Services, lifting or moving injured persons, use of VHS sets and many more.

Moreover, he urged all the volunteers to be patient while learning life skills, inculcate discipline, time management and become a responsible person in the society and also to respond immediately in times of disaster.

The District Disaster Management Officer, West Garo Hills Tura James D Sangma informed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the implementing agency for organising this scheme for training of Community Volunteers with a focus on training of 200 community volunteers per district in disaster response in selected flood prone areas in India. He also said that so far 150 volunteers had already been trained in the 1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd Phase and this is the last phase of training, he added. The 12 days residential training for Aapda Mitra Volunteers started from 10 October and will conclude on 22 October, 2022 in which both boys and girls from Dalu, Rongram, Selsella, Demdemma, Rajabala and Tikrikilla areas have participated and urged all the volunteers to participate attentively during the training program.

The Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO), Tura Dr. Priya Sengse Sangma highlighted the importance of First Aid and Emergency Services adding that Medical officers would train them on these topics for different situations related to disaster and how to give medical assistance during flood, after landslides, fire, animal bite, etc.

Deputy Comptroller, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Tura Sentilla Marak while speaking on the occasion informed that they will train the volunteers on roles and responsibilities of SDRF along with techniques for search and rescue operations, how to rescue using ropes, etc. during this two weeks training program.