Mokokchung, October 24: With the aim to create awareness and preparedness among the masses to effectively responsd in times of disasters, a five-day Community First Responder (CFR) for Training of Trainers (TOT) got underway at Town Hall, Mokokchung on Monday.
The five-day intensive training on CFR for TOTs is being organised by District Disaster Management Authority, Mokokchung, in collaboration with CD & HG and SDRF and supported by Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority, Home department Nagaland.
On analysing the increased frequency and the volume of damage caused by such disasters, ADC Mokokchung, Bendanglila, in her keynote address, said disaster management structure are put in place at the district down to village level in order to address the problem.
She highlighted that SDMA is headed by the Chief Minister at the State level with laid down policies and plan for disaster management. She said this body approves plans, coordinate the implementation of the State plans, recommends provision of fund for mitigation and preparedness.ADC said State government has constituted a State Executive Committee (SEC) headed by the Chief Secretary to co-ordinate and monitor the implementations of the national policy. She also said DDMA is headed by the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, as planning, coordination and implementation body for disaster management in the district Level.
She informed that Mokokochung district has its own District Emergency Operating Center (DEOC) which functions 24X7 equipped with basic instruments and tools manned by 30 well trained SDRF personnel.
Meanwhile, she lauded DEOC & SDRF personnel for their commendable job by responding promptly to the call when Mokokchung district was affected by the cyclonic wind early this year which left behind a huge trail of destruction. She also appreciated the response and contribution rendered by the civil societies, business community and various group during those hard times.
Bendanglila pointed out that members of the community will be the first responder when disaster strikes where they must work with limited resources and equipments before immediate responders from police, SDRF, fire and medical services etc arrived. In this regard, she called upon the participants to equip themselves with the knowledge of what disasters are all about and become trainers in their respective areas and disseminate knowledge and skills to their friends and community.
DDMO, Mokokokchung, Wangshi, and Dr. Aka, CMO, Mokokchung, also spoke in the programme. The inaugural function was chaired by Livitoli, EAC (HQ).
Around 40 participants from seven sub-divisions in Mokokchung district are currently attending an exhaustive five-day training programme.
The participants, who are to become trainers at the block levels, will be trained in all disasters related issues- prevention of danger or threat of any disaster, mitigation or reduction of disaster or its severity, capacity building, preparedness to deal with any disaster, prompt response to disaster, assessing the magnitude of effects of disaster, rescue and relief, first aid etc.
