The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Preparing volunteers for rescue operations

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Monday, Mar 09, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Preparing volunteers for rescue operations

Staff Reporter

Watermanship drill being held in Bangalore on second Saturday of every month

— Photo: K Gopinathan

Drill: A training session was held at Ulsoor Lake in Bangalore on Saturday.

BANGALORE: Nearly 200 people took part in a watermanship drill at the Ulsoor Lake here on Saturday.

The programme involved training and demonstration to handle all types of boats and rescue operations during emergencies such as floods.

Organised by the Directorate of Home Guards and Civil Defence, the participants learnt to handle boats used in lakes and other water bodies in the city. “The trained volunteers would be of immense help for the people of Bangalore, especially those living in the low-lying areas during monsoon. They will be deployed in rain-hit areas to assist the authorities in shifting people to safe places,” Chief Warden of Civil Defence Major General (Retd.) T.M. John told The Hindu. He said that Civil Defence in Bangalore had two inflatable boats, which would be used to train volunteers.

“We have 50 divisions in Bangalore, each comprising 200 volunteers. They would be trained in watermanship,” Maj. Gen. John added.

Doctors, students and professors were among those who participated in the Saturday’s programme. “We will continue this drill on the second Saturday of every month,” he said.

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