TATO, AUG 18:
A two-week Familiarisation Exercise (FAMEX) was conducted by a team of the 12th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Itanagar, across Tato, Mechukha and Monigong subdivisions of Shi-Yomi district from August 2 to 16.
The programme was coordinated by Shi-Yomi District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Vijay Mitte under the guidance of Shi-Yomi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath R (IAS).
As part of the exercise, the NDRF team conducted School Safety and Community Disaster Awareness programmes at schools and other locations, besides organising mock drills involving stakeholders across the district. The exercise covered government establishments, schools, villages, Gaon Burahs, NGOs, NCC, Scouts and Guides and other officials and authorities.
The School Safety Programme began at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Tato, with sessions on disaster preparedness, mitigation and safety measures. The team subsequently conducted programmes at Mechukha and Monigong.
Mechukha Additional Deputy Commissioner Tana Yaho urged students, teachers and officials to acquire and share the life-saving skills and basic survival techniques demonstrated by the NDRF team.
During the programme at Monigong, Additional Deputy Commissioner Idam Bagra appreciated the DDMA for organising the disaster management exercise in the remote subdivision, saying improved preparedness and quicker response by first responders could help minimise loss of life.
During the exercise, the NDRF team demonstrated improvised rescue techniques using locally available materials such as bamboo, empty plastic bottles, sandbags, blankets and school uniforms. Participants were trained in techniques for carrying injured persons, including one-man and two-man carries and piggyback carries.
The team also provided training in basic survival skills, emergency medical first response, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and trauma care. Demonstrations covered search and rescue operations in collapsed structures, as well as the preparation of improvised harnesses and stretchers using ropes and fastening knots.
The programme also focused on disaster-specific safety measures, including the dos and don’ts during earthquakes, flash floods, landslides, mudslides and fire emergencies.
The FAMEX aimed to strengthen community preparedness, build the capacity of local first responders and reduce response time during disasters, particularly in the remote and vulnerable areas of Shi-Yomi district. (DIPR)
