Shillong, May 23: Training of Community Volunteers on Disaster Response under the scheme “Upscaling Aapda Mitra” for East Khasi Hills District was launched today by Smti D. Phawa, ADC & CEO, District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East Khasi Hills District at a function held at Central Training Institute, Mawdiangdiang in the presence of Smti P. Lyngba, DDMO, East Khasi Hills District, Smti B. Kharkongor, Commandant, CTI among others.
The Upscaling Aapda Mitra scheme implemented and funded by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in partnership with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in which 200 community volunteers drawn from various localities, NSS, NYK, Bharat Scouts and Guides and Colleges of East Khasi Hills District will be trained on disaster response.
In her inaugural address, Smti D. Phawa said that the aim of the scheme is to develop the capacity and skills of the community volunteers, who are the first responders during any disaster so that they can deal with the same in a pragmatic manner.
As part of the scheme, Smti Phawa informed that the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), East Khasi Hills District will conduct training in 6 batches and each batch will accommodate 30-35 community volunteers. The training will be imparted by resource persons from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and experts from other Departments like Fire & Emergency Services.
After completion of the training, the trained community volunteers will be provided with protective equipment, emergency responder kits comprising of life jackets, torch or emergency light, safety gloves, pocket knife, first aid kit, gas lighter, whistle , water bottle, rucksack, mosquito net, T-shirt with NDMA logo, gumboots, safety goggles and safety helmet.
