Port Blair, Oct. 2: The Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N Administration in coordination with District Administration, South Andaman conducted 12 days ‘Up-scaling Aapda Mitra Scheme’ of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in South Andaman District from Sept.19, 2022 at Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School which concluded today.

The A&N Administration is implementing Up-scaling of Aapda Mitra Scheme in three Districts of A&N Islands targeting to train 300 community volunteers under the scheme. The first batch of Community Volunteer of South Andaman District training was conducted by the Directorate of Disaster Management in coordination with Indian Coast Guard (A&N) and National Disaster Response Force, 4th Btl. Arakkonam Tamil Nadu stationed at Port Blair.

During the concluding session, the chief guest, Shri ASPS Ravi Kumar, IAS, Secretary (DM) appreciated the dedicated participation of Volunteers who, have successfully completed the training and prepared themselves to fight with disaster situation as first responders in the community level. He explained that, after the enactment of Disaster Management Act, 2005, the A&N Administration created Statutory Body of UT Disaster Management Authority, UT Disaster Management Executive Committee, District Disaster Management Authorities, State Emergency Operation Centre, Emergency Operation Centres and Control Rooms of line Departments in different Islands with state of art communication facilities towards disaster preparedness and management in ANI. He also informed that, the A&N Administration in close coordination with National Disaster Management Authority prepared the State Disaster Management Plan, District Disaster Management Plans in accordance with the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Standard Operating Procedures of each line departments.

He further stressed that, the SEOC and all the 06 EOCs are functioning round the clock. He exhort all participants to implement what they have learnt during the training for SAR Operations and CSSR in a calm manner for better response during hazardous situation and coordinate from community level of their respective district and the State. He said, a trained and prepared mind will only save lives professionally and effectively.

On the occasion, Shri TKS Ajayan, Asst. Director (Ops) Directorate of Disaster Management briefed about the training programme that had been imparted to the Aapda Mitra Volunteers under Aapda Mitra Scheme in 12 days long training programme. He further explained that, the scheme was aimed to provide community volunteers with the basic skills required for responding to their community's immediate needs during and in the aftermath of a disaster. These trained volunteers can assist in saving lives using the basic techniques of disaster response, coordination and management.

Shri Gyan Singh, Asst. Director (Logistics) exhorted for total participation and cooperation of all for the successful completion of Disaster Management Training which was imparted by Community Volunteer to build better capacity and skill towards disaster preparedness and capacity building.

The team of Indian Coast Guard (A&N) and National Disaster Response Force imparted the training to Community Volunteers as per the syllabus prescribed by the National Disaster Management Authority, GoI, MHA, New Delhi on basics of Disaster Management, Vulnerability, Various Risks, Search & Rescue, Medical First Response and Improvising Rescue Equipment from the local available resources.  During interactions with the Community Volunteers, Shri Deen Mohammed, Safety Officer, DDM explained the Safety Procedures that required to be adopted by each volunteers during SAR and CSSR Operations during a hazardous situation.

During the training, Lt. Col. Surya Prakash Pandey, Jt Advisor, NDMA and Shri Brijesh Jaiswal, Coordinator, Aapda Mitra Scheme who was on visit to the Islands from Sept. 29 to 30, 2022 also interacted with the Volunteers and appreciated their presence and dedication in participating in the training programme.

The valedictory session concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by by Shri Janik Ram, Asst. Director (Admn.), DDM.