PMC to train staff on tackling disasters

He said while efforts will be made to have the latest equipment,CCTVs,fire extinguishers and medical facilities,the foremost aim will be to train citizens for any situation. To do that,he added,the civic administration will soon take up disaster management training for its staff at the PMC headquarters.

The basic training will focus on the use of available resources to save one’s own life and that of others. This will be provided in batches at the staff’s work place,he said. “The staff will be taught effective use of safety equipment available on their floors and how to find a passage to a safer location,” said Sonune.

This training will go on till the entire civic staff is covered,he said,adding,“The security personnel with the civic body will be trained by experts to handle any situation,with the focus on saving citizens’ lives. As the security staff are usually the first to reach the site of a disaster,it is important that they are strong enough to ensure safety of the masses.”

Citizens,said Sonune,cannot be kept out of the process of rescue operations. “There is a plan to have teams of trained citizens in every electoral panel or ward. Such a team will be able to help the civic and government agencies in times of calamities,” he said.

Civic activist Vihar Durve welcomed the PMC plan. “The civic body should also focus on features necessary for providing security by installing adequate CCTV cameras across the city as well as services required during emergency. The involvement of citizens will definitely help,” he added.