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Training to deal with disasters

Special Correspondent

Escape route: Residents of coastal areas being trained in disaster management by fire service personnel on Friday.

Thiruvananthapuram: Two hundred voluntary workers drawn from the coastal belt of the city were imparted training in disaster management at a programme organised by the district administration and the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP).

The training was conducted under the Urban Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Project (UEVRP). Officials of the Fire and Rescue Services demonstrated techniques to rescue victims of disasters. They also exhibited first aid methods.

The trainees, including a large number of women from the Poundukadavu, Sanghumukham, Vettukad and Pallithura wards, turned up at the St. Thomas Community Hall, Valiaveli, the venue of the training camp.

Kazhakuttam MLA M.A. Vahid, Revenue Divisional Officer K. Ramachandran, UNDP project officer B. Anil and ward councillors Veli Varghese, Ajithakumari and Selin were present.

Mr. Ramachandran said the programme was designed to train voluntary workers and local people who are the first to reach the site of a disaster. “Many of them are still ignorant of the different methods of rescue and first aid. Our effort is to equip them with the right techniques.”

Members selected from various wards will receive an intensive training programme in first aid in September this year. Thiruvananthapuram is one of the 38 earthquake-prone cities in India identified for implementation of the UEVRP. The District Collector is the chairman of the project and the RDO is the nodal officer.

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