Ward level training on disaster management begins

GANGTOK, 29 Nov [IPR]: A two-day Ward Level Training for Ward Level Volunteers, Civil Defence Members, Quick Response teams on Search & Rescue, organized by Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority under the aegis of Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department Government of Sikkim started here at Sikkim Government College Auditorium today.
Chief guest for the programme, Councilor, Daragaon Ward, Bhasker Basnett in his address stressed on the importance of such trainings and how it could help the communities to be resilient and urged the participants to take the training seriously so that they could be master trainers and impart knowledge to others. He urged the stakeholders to work relentlessly to make Sikkim disaster-resilient.
Earlier, SDW Chankapa [Special Secretary cum Director, SSDMA, LR&DMD], in her opening address, underlined that the objective of the training was to strengthen the communities and quick response teams. Drawing a parallel to the recent disaster in Uttarakhand, she urged all to learn from the best practices. She added that the Department would continue to give similar trainings to build capacities of all stake holders and urged the participants to take keen interest in the training and derive optimum benefit from the qualified resource persons.
Everester Kazi Sherpa [OSD IHCAE, Chemchey, South Sikkim] and his team of Special Search & Rescue Team were the resource persons for the training. It may be mentioned here that SSRT consists of members from various departments of the State Government and are also members of Sikkim Amateur Mountaineers Association.
The first day of the training programme comprised of experience sharing by Civil Defence Member, Basic First Aid Training for evacuated victims, Introduction of Search & Rescue equipments – Functionality & Usage, Rope Fixing & Fitting, selection of anchoring (Natural & Artificial), Position for different types of rescue use, and casualty carrying method.
The second day of the programme would comprise of Demonstration & Practice of Pick up Back and other techniques, Demonstration & Practice of Zip Line Method and improvised stretcher and other techniques, Demonstration & Practice of casualty evacuation on parallel rope traversing method and demonstration & Practice of improvised bridge making and alpine basket use.
Earlier, the programme started with the welcome address by Keshav Koirala [City Project Coordinator cum Training Officer, SSDMA, LR&DM Department]. He stated that the two-day training was in continuation with Ward level training on basic first aid. He stressed on the fact that since communities were first responders to disasters therefore it was of utmost importance to build their capacities.
Also present at the programme were Ashish Rai [Councillor, Arithang Ward], Parbhat Gurung [Councillor, Tadong Ward] and Kapil Meena [Additional District Collector, East].
The inaugural day of the training programme concluded with the vote of thanks by GC Khanal [Joint Director, SSDMA].