Even as cyclone Hud Hud batters the east coast, city residents are gearing up to face the eventuality of a similar disaster here with the setting up of a citizen-run District Disaster Response Team on Monday.
The team will consist of volunteers, mainly from educational institutions, who will be trained to take part in operations during disasters, plan disaster mitigation programmes and participate in drills.
The setting up of the team coincides with the observance of International Day for Disaster Reduction.
It will be led by members of Indian Red Cross Society, Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department, police, Home Guards, district administration officials, among others.
The volunteers will receive a life jacket and basic tools, apart from a series of training programmes to handle various types of disasters.
After launching the team, B. Sadashiva Prabhu, Additional Deputy Commissioner, said the role of the team should not stop merely at handling disasters.
“The recent floods in Kashmir showed the importance of keeping drains clutter-free. The volunteers should spread the message of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and not litter on the roads and drains…at least man-made disasters can be mitigated,” he said.
Highlighting the need to properly train the volunteers for disaster management, Chief Fire Officer H.S Varadaraj said capacity-building and drills at the ground-level was needed to ensure team member do not add to the casualty list.
For further details and to enrol into the team, call 9844550886/9448487487/7795179915.
