The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : To the rescue in no time

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 10, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

To the rescue in no time

Special Correspondent

MOCK DRILL: Fire and Rescue Services personnel donning protective suits carry out a mock rescue operation at the inauguration of the Disaster Management Authority in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. - Photo: S. Mahinsha

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A tanker carrying extremely dangerous toxic gas skids on the wet road and rolls over. The driver and two others in the vehicle manage to wriggle their way out through the broken windscreen, even as, with a deadly hiss, gas begins to spew out.

The men clutch their throats and begin to cough. They swing on unsteady steps, fall on the road, try to pick themselves up and fall yet again. They struggle for breath, writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth.

One after the other, they fall quiet, either dead or unconscious.

Fortunately, a rapid action disaster handling team is just round the corner, its members in luminous yellow dress, purple boots and black gas masks.

Without more ado, they swing into action to the accompaniment of shrill whistle blows. In no time at all, a gas-proof tent is ready, the stretchers are out and the disaster experts rush to the spot where the men lie.

After first aid and resuscitation exercises, the victims are carried in stretchers to an ambulance and thence to the nearest hospital.

As the siren fades into the distance, the team captain's report to the headquarters over the wireless can be heard over the loudspeaker. "We could save only two of them, sir. There were three in the truck."

He does not mention the fate of the third, but it is understood that the man has died. This was one of the several mock rescue acts staged at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, soon after the inauguration of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Wednesday.

The police, Fire and Rescue Services, Navy, National Cadet Corps and the Coast Guard did their rescue acts, saving people caught in fire, gas leaks and various other disaster situations.

An exhibition too was organised as part of the inauguration of the authority to introduce the public to hydraulic cutters, hydraulic spreaders, life-size dummies, water sprayers, goggles, diving suits, inflatable rafts complete with oars, and scores of other modern gadgets that go into disaster mitigation efforts.

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