Sri Vijaya Puram, May 14: The Directorate of Disaster Management (DDM), in coordination with the Directorate of RD, PRIs and ULBs, has organised a three-day Basic Disaster Management Training Programme for Panchayat Secretaries, Village Level Workers and Gram Sevaks at the Training Hall of Aapda Prabandhan Bhawan in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The training programme, being conducted from May 13 to 15, aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms at the Gram Panchayat level across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The programme has been designed to improve preparedness at the local level by ensuring timely dissemination of early warnings, effective evacuation procedures and immediate response during emergencies, thereby helping minimise loss of life and property.
Addressing the inaugural session, Priyanka Kumari emphasised the important role played by Gram Panchayats as first responders during emergencies within communities.
She stated that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands remain highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, making preparedness and coordination at the Panchayat level crucial for reducing risks and strengthening community resilience.
She also urged participants to actively engage in the sessions and implement practical disaster management activities within their respective Gram Panchayats.
The three-day programme will include sessions on the basics of disaster management, community-level safety, preparation of Gram Panchayat Disaster Management Plans, Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical First Response (MFR) and fire safety.
The training includes both theoretical sessions and practical demonstrations conducted by experts from the Disaster Management Department, RD, PRIs and ULBs, Health Department, National Disaster Response Force and Fire Services Department.
The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to improve grassroots-level disaster preparedness in the Islands, particularly in vulnerable coastal and rural regions where Panchayats play a critical role during natural disasters and emergency situations.
Earlier, Shri Janik Ram, Assistant Director (Administration), Directorate of Disaster Management, welcomed the participants, while Shri Sudev Kumar, Statistical Officer, Directorate of Disaster Management, proposed the vote of thanks.
