Now civilian volunteers to get disaster management training

Panaji, July 29: A force of civilian volunteers is being trained in disaster management and rescue, especially during the monsoons, by North Goa district administration.

The force would mostly comprise well-built people including Physical Education Teachers in various schools, Additional District Collector Dipak Desai told PTI today.

Mumbai-based Sarista Foundation has already began training few batches in the district at various taluka levels, he said adding that advance level training can also be imparted to civilian volunteers on whom the administration can bank on during emergencies. “

"There is no age limit. We also intend to include retired Physical Education teachers. If a person is below 18 years of age, the consent of his parents would be necessary," Desai said adding even students are involved in it.

The officer said that creation of similar force was experimented in South Goa’s Canacona taluka earlier last year and the exercise was very successful.

Desai said that although Goa has not faced any major disaster so far, the co-ordination of civilians with the agencies like fire and emergency services, police and other departments is crucial. Goa has been receiving continuous rainfall since last fortnight.

Cuncolim village was flooded two weeks back while last week the low lying areas of Sankhalim and Bicholim had feared floods when the gates of dam located upstream were opened due to excess water in the reservoir.

PTI