- 5-day Programme concludes at Scholars School Natipora
SRINAGAR: Continuing with its efforts to sensitize youngsters during disasters and emergencies, experts today said that disaster preparedness helps to minimize the damages during disasters. Speaking at the concluding ceremony of 5-day disaster preparedness programme, organized by Civil Defence at Scholar’s School, Natipora, Srinagar, Director, Disaster Management, Aamir Ali said that Government has initiated a mass level ‘School Safety Programme’ where the target is to train each and every student for responding to any emergency situation.
“The aim is that they can act as first responders in case of any disaster,” Aamir said. He said that such Disaster Preparedness Programmes have been initiated across the State through the District Disaster Management Authorities, headed by the Deputy Commissioners. “Organizing such programmes will definitely give us results,” he said. During the programme, the students were imparted training in first aid, fire-fighting, search and rescue by expert trainer Ghulam Nabi. During the training sessions, girl students actively participated. The programme was also attended by the Chairman of the School, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed, all the staff and students. Among others, present on the occasion were ASI (M) Shabir Ahmed Khan and Syed Abid from Civil Defence.
Pertinent to mention that Minister, Abdul Rehman Veeri, is heading the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) and has given explicit instructions to the Disaster Management Authorities at State, Divisional and District level to ensure that mitigation measures are taken to reduce the vulnerabilities to reduce damages in the event of any disaster. On the intervention of the DMRRR Department, all Chief Education Officers have been notified as Nodal Officers for School Safety Programme, by the Education Department.