Says key skills imparted to first responders
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the Goa State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) runs regular capacity-building training programmes to sharpen the skills of first responders while also stating that the authority maintains a comprehensive repository of resources, including skilled human resources, equipment, and machinery to facilitate efficient resource allocation.
His statement comes a day after Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao demanded a white paper on the disaster management plan ahead of the monsoon.
In a media statement, CM further explained that the repository encompasses resources from various line departments and private agencies, such as Goa Shipyard. The information is stored on the India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) portal, which is administered jointly by the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMA) and the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) at the national level.
The programs, Sawant added, cover a range of vital areas, from shelter management and first aid to firefighting, search and rescue, early warning and communication, cyclone shelter management, and maintenance committee refresher training.
"The induction training programs for Panchayat Raj Institutions incorporate Panchayat Level Trainings, which cover Village Disaster Management Plan, First Aid, Triage, and other key topics. The NDRF 5th Battalion Pune conducts yearly familiarisation exercises in all 12 talukas of both districts," it said.
Goa SDMA also teams up with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and NDRF to conduct CBRN Emergency Management Training and mock drills to ensure that emergency handlers at airport and seaport authorities are always on their toes and ready to act. The NIDM also joins in on the action, organizing annual training and mock drills at ONGC, Betul.
Sawant also said that the SDMA has put in place an Incident Response System and Local Contingency Plan for Mass Rescue Operations at Sea, which helps responders coordinate more efficiently and respond faster in times of crisis. The authority has ensured that all updated communication plans are readily available on its official website.
