BMC corporators to be trained in disaster management

The training will also include basic instructions on what to do during a natural disaster such as an earthquake or during fires and building collapse incident and safety drills

After municipal school, hospital staff and employees of private and government institutions, it is now the elected city representatives’ turn to get disaster management training. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) disaster management department will train all the 227 corporators.

This was announced by municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta in general body meeting during the budget session, on Friday. The schedule, which is being planned, will include lessons on how to administer first-aid, fire-fighting operations like how to use fire extinguishers, alerting authorities, group and casualty rescue and life-saving skills, including CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) in case of drowning accidents or heart attack.

The training will also include basic instructions on what to do during a natural disaster such as an earthquake or during fires and building collapse incident and safety drills.

The module will also have lessons on monsoon preparedness and include dos and don’ts during incidents such as flooding and other natural disasters.

“In many cases it was noticed that the building had fire extinguishers but were defunct. Also the lack of an evacuation plan and safety drills led to more people being trapped and the response time further increased. Training to corporators will go a long way as they can also help in spreading awareness in their wards,” said an official from the civic disaster cell.