Disaster Management Workshop
Description: A disaster management workshop was conducted on 18th May 2023, at 9:36 a.m. in Mary Ward Auditorium. The workshop was attended by Principal Mrs. Alice Rose D'Lima, Sr. Baisakhi, Senior school Coordinator. Ms. Risa, Middle school coordinator. Ms. Kanchan, and Junior School Coordinator. Ms. Michelle.
and students from classes 4th to 12th. NDRF (National Disaster Response Force ) conducted an insightful session, demonstrating various ways for rapid and specialized response to a natural or man-made crisis including earthquakes, fires, floods, and so on. NDRF was equipped with specialized rescue equipment and had a well-trained team of personnel who were capable of dealing with any type of emergency.
Safety at school was the focus of the session, in times of emergency how an individual should be responsive enough. By discussing the real-life incidents of various schools, the team helped students to understand the importance of having Disaster management as a prominent aspect of one's life. A live demonstration of ways to help oneself during the earthquake was given, starting by not panicking, and not using life or a staircase wherever possible. An important point highlighted was the DCM, which means drop, cover, and head respectively to be followed if there is an earthquake. Students were guided to hide themselves underneath a furniture, using forearm , lay beside sofa or bed. Team gave an in-depth understanding of protecting from earthquakes by forming a 'life of triangle'. Points to be considered for various situations were demonstrated for instance, if an individual gets unconscious, the person can be dragged with the help of a collar, opening up a zip or button to prevent choking.
Effective plans to mitigate the consequences of a disaster were derived from an "all hazards" approach (the "what ifs" and worst-case scenarios - on-site and off-site). In a fire incident, if an individual gets unconscious team demonstrated the ways to bring that person out by tying both the hands of that person and put around the neck of rescuer and drag. Also if the person is injured it was advised to always drag the person. Moreover it was guided to make an immediate stretcher with the help of two bamboo and a blanket. Few students volunteered to demonstrate the same. Three different ways to rescue a person who is bleeding were told, direct pressure, raising the hand more than heart level, and pressure point.
The use of hand made floating devices were demonstrated, use of waste plastic water bottles, volleyball or basket balls, and empty coconuts. The team demonstrated the use of fire extinguisher by an acronym PASS (pull the pin , aim the nozzle , squeeze the handle, and swipe it to different sides ). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) an emergency procedure that can help save a person's life if their breathing or heart stops was demonstrated with a detailed explanation of each step. Students were made cautious not to attempt without any emergency.
Workshop was concluded at 10:55 a.m. with a vote of thanks by a student of class 11th.