The 6th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force in Vadodara recently held a Community Awareness Program on Earthquake Mock-Drills in collaboration with the M. S. Patel Department of Civil Engineering, under the auspices of the “IAStructE Students’ Chapter.” The main objective of this event was to provide staff and students with the necessary knowledge on how to respond immediately and appropriately during an earthquake in order to significantly reduce the risk of accidents and loss of life.
The three-hour session was led by Deputy Commandant Ajay Kumar Singh, Team Head Senior Inspector Dipak Bahu, Second in Command Inspector Kailash Batham, and a team of 17 Jawans. The session began with Deputy Commandant Ajay Kumar Singh introducing the NDRF, followed by Dipak Bahu discussing the Do’s and Don’ts of actions to be taken during an earthquake to protect the lives of those affected. Dipak Bahu also discussed the precautionary measures to be taken to protect oneself from heatstroke, which is particularly relevant during the summer months.
The NDRF jawans practically demonstrated all of the precautionary measures discussed during the session. Furthermore, the NDRF team taught the eager students the methods of conducting CPR. Second in Command Inspector Kailash Batham expertly explained the nuances of CPR, first aid to be given in case of injury, and emergency kits to be prepared to prepare oneself in case of floods or other disasters. The NDRF Jawans again supported him by practically demonstrating the CPR methods on the dummies they had brought.
Over 130 students and 15 staff members attended the session, and the participants appreciated the NDRF team’s enthusiastic efforts to raise awareness on such important topics.
