BMC to train students, teachers in disaster management

After joining hands with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the Clean-up campaign last year, college students are once again ready to share another responsibility of guiding people in a disaster like situation.

In an attempt to ensure public participation in disaster management, the BMC has decided to train students and teachers of the city colleges to guide Mumbaikars in a disaster or natural calamity. The project will be implemented on the warden-post concept in the civic defence.

"We will select about 10 to 15 students each from about 300 colleges in the city, who will direct people on how to face the disastrous situations and to make use of civic facilities," said SS Shinde, Joint Municipal Commissioner, Disaster Cell. They will be trained in public awareness, rescue operation, first aid, and evacuation exercise.

The BMC will first tie up with the University of Mumbai, after which letters will be sent to colleges to participate in the project.

"There have been courses on the national level, like the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and the National Service Scheme (NSS), to develop the capacity in youths to meet emergencies and natural disasters. This will be our first attempt for the city level participation of students in disaster management for which, help from NCC and NSS officials will also be taken," said Shinde.

He also toyed with the idea of recommending these civic-trained students for extra marks like in NCC and NSS. "BMC will spend Rs 10 lakh on the training," he added.

D G Fonekar, district co-ordinator of central suburbs, NSS, said Mumbai is a vulnerable city and needs such an initiative by the civic body. "It will develop a sense of binding among college students and also improve their civic as well as social responsibility," he said.

Last year, BMC roped in around 100 college students for its Clean-up Mumbai campaign. The students appeared for an entrance exam, which included a 75-mark written test and a personal interview. They were trained to fine citizens caught dirtying the city.