News & Announcement
3rd batch of 50 Aapda Mitra Volunteers undergoes training at IHCAE Chemchey
Namchi, Oct 13th: The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), under the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-Tourism (IHCAE), initiated the training of the 3rd batch of Yuva Aapda Mitra Volunteers at IHCAE, Chemchey today.
Under the central sector initiative implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a total of 50 volunteers from Namchi district, comprising student volunteers from different colleges, are being trained for a total of 5 days. The scheme is designed to train community volunteers in essential disaster response skills, such as relief, rescue, and first aid, enabling them to offer immediate assistance to their communities during emergencies like floods and other disasters, acting as first responders during the crisis.
In his address, Relief Commissioner/Secretary LRDMD, Mr M T Sherpa (IAS), also the Chief Guest, foremost urged the trainees to take hold of the benefits of the knowledge imparted to them during the course of the training and also emphasised the need to groom themselves in ever preparedness to act in situations of crisis and disaster. He also stated that the volunteers being trained today shall be called for duty in scenarios of disaster and urged them to utilise their knowledge for the proper search, rescue and evacuation process as first responders.
He also mentioned that the training being imparted to them holds great prominence as the initiation day falls on International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction, and emphasised the need for them to foster a sense of ethical duty towards the community.
Further, the Secretary also stated that accordingly, exceptional Aapda Mitra Volunteers shall be recognised for their dedicated service by the state and shall be called to perform a parade march on prominent national holidays.
Lastly, the Secretary closed his address by providing his gratitude to the trainers and mentioning success and health to all the trainees.
DC Namchi, also the Guest of Honour, Ms Anupa Tamling, highlighted the importance of the disaster management training being provided to them and urged the volunteers to execute the knowledge they gain with full dedication and responsibility.
She mentioned that the course shall test the mental and physical resilience of the trainees regardless of gender and imparting words of motivation, she stated that the training shall mould them towards stronger beings and further help them to execute their work effectively during search & rescue and evacuation missions.
Further, she advised the volunteers to be ready to act in scenarios of disasters as after their completion of the training, they shall be inducted to the district state Aapda Mitra Volunteers cadre and shall be utilised as first responders in disaster-stricken areas.
Additional Secretary SSDMA and the Nodal Officer, Ms Parina Gurung, provided a concise overview of the Aapda Mitra Scheme. She explained that the initiative aims to equip community volunteers with essential disaster response skills such as rescue, relief, and first aid, so they can offer immediate support during emergencies like floods and other disasters.
She noted that the training is facilitated by the State and District Disaster Management Authorities, with the objective of building a network of local volunteers who can assist when formal emergency services are delayed or unavailable. She also mentioned that the volunteers shall receive training materials, uniforms, guidebooks, and complete Emergency Response Management (ERM) kits from the concerned department.
She also highlighted that the scheme includes insurance coverage for volunteers of Rs 3 Lakhs, specifically in cases of death or disability sustained during rescue operations.
Principal IHCAE, Mr Kazi Sherpa, highlighted the functioning of IHCAE Chemchey, stating that since the initiation of the institute on 7th December 2009, more than 10,000 local personnel have been trained for air, land and water based adventure activities.
He further mentioned that the purpose and objectives of the training being imparted is to raise volunteers who can help and protect the vulnerable during emergencies and disasters and further help them improve and grow their mental and physical aptitudes.
The programme also had the presence of DPO DDMA (Namchi) Mr Suraj Rai, Administrator IHCAE Mr Norden Bhutia, Senior Instructor IHCAE Ms Shanti Rai, and officers & staff members of SSDMA, DDMA and IHCAE.
Under the central sector initiative implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), a total of 50 volunteers from Namchi district, comprising student volunteers from different colleges, are being trained for a total of 5 days. The scheme is designed to train community volunteers in essential disaster response skills, such as relief, rescue, and first aid, enabling them to offer immediate assistance to their communities during emergencies like floods and other disasters, acting as first responders during the crisis.
In his address, Relief Commissioner/Secretary LRDMD, Mr M T Sherpa (IAS), also the Chief Guest, foremost urged the trainees to take hold of the benefits of the knowledge imparted to them during the course of the training and also emphasised the need to groom themselves in ever preparedness to act in situations of crisis and disaster. He also stated that the volunteers being trained today shall be called for duty in scenarios of disaster and urged them to utilise their knowledge for the proper search, rescue and evacuation process as first responders.
He also mentioned that the training being imparted to them holds great prominence as the initiation day falls on International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction, and emphasised the need for them to foster a sense of ethical duty towards the community.
Further, the Secretary also stated that accordingly, exceptional Aapda Mitra Volunteers shall be recognised for their dedicated service by the state and shall be called to perform a parade march on prominent national holidays.
Lastly, the Secretary closed his address by providing his gratitude to the trainers and mentioning success and health to all the trainees.
DC Namchi, also the Guest of Honour, Ms Anupa Tamling, highlighted the importance of the disaster management training being provided to them and urged the volunteers to execute the knowledge they gain with full dedication and responsibility.
She mentioned that the course shall test the mental and physical resilience of the trainees regardless of gender and imparting words of motivation, she stated that the training shall mould them towards stronger beings and further help them to execute their work effectively during search & rescue and evacuation missions.
Further, she advised the volunteers to be ready to act in scenarios of disasters as after their completion of the training, they shall be inducted to the district state Aapda Mitra Volunteers cadre and shall be utilised as first responders in disaster-stricken areas.
Additional Secretary SSDMA and the Nodal Officer, Ms Parina Gurung, provided a concise overview of the Aapda Mitra Scheme. She explained that the initiative aims to equip community volunteers with essential disaster response skills such as rescue, relief, and first aid, so they can offer immediate support during emergencies like floods and other disasters.
She noted that the training is facilitated by the State and District Disaster Management Authorities, with the objective of building a network of local volunteers who can assist when formal emergency services are delayed or unavailable. She also mentioned that the volunteers shall receive training materials, uniforms, guidebooks, and complete Emergency Response Management (ERM) kits from the concerned department.
She also highlighted that the scheme includes insurance coverage for volunteers of Rs 3 Lakhs, specifically in cases of death or disability sustained during rescue operations.
Principal IHCAE, Mr Kazi Sherpa, highlighted the functioning of IHCAE Chemchey, stating that since the initiation of the institute on 7th December 2009, more than 10,000 local personnel have been trained for air, land and water based adventure activities.
He further mentioned that the purpose and objectives of the training being imparted is to raise volunteers who can help and protect the vulnerable during emergencies and disasters and further help them improve and grow their mental and physical aptitudes.
The programme also had the presence of DPO DDMA (Namchi) Mr Suraj Rai, Administrator IHCAE Mr Norden Bhutia, Senior Instructor IHCAE Ms Shanti Rai, and officers & staff members of SSDMA, DDMA and IHCAE.