Chief Secretary B.K. Agarwal has stressed the need for proper designing and earthquake resilient construction of community halls and other structures in gram panchayats of the State. He was presiding over Inception Workshop on implementation of four schemes on disaster risk reduction organized by HP State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), here today.The Chief Secretary launched four schemes on disaster risk reduction viz: training for masons, carpenters and bar binders on hazard resistant construction, structural safety audit of lifeline buildings, hospital safety and creation of task force of youth volunteers for disaster preparedness and response. He appreciated the efforts of SDMA for formulating these schemes keeping in view the hazards, earthquake particularly in Himalayan region and said that it was necessary to prevent the risk in an organized manner.He said the task force of 15-20 volunteers in each panchayat of the State should be formulated by imparting proper training to act as first responder in case of any disaster in their area. He said a massive statewide awareness campaign should be launched so that people could know the vulnerability of disasters, mitigation and reduction measures. He said that community was both victim and first responder during disaster.B.K. Agarwal stressed the need to take all disaster reduction measures on project mode for which models and guidelines were readily available. He said disaster reduction measures should be in the curriculum of technical institutions and should also be incorporated in Municipal Act. It was vital to impart training at the grass root level to the masons engaged in construction works.
An inventory of the masons and voluntary forces should be maintained in each district, adding that cement companies should actively associate with training activities.He asked all concerned to provide training to masons as per the training modules. He also stressed the need to train engineers involving polytechnic and engineering institutions and a resource centre would be established for technical institutions in the state.The Chief Secretary directed all the authorities concerned to ensure the entire new building structures earthquake resilient and safe. He said training to all stakeholders was the first component of capacity building. He said hospitals were most prone during earthquake therefore doctors and paramedics training schedule should be prepared before April this year.Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Manisha Nanda in her opening address said Yuvak Mandals, Mahila Mandals, NSS, NCC, Red Cross volunteers will be mobilized to associate themselves with these schemes. SDMA will provide them certificates and identity cards so that their services are best utilized during hazardsShe said Deputy Commissioner, Mandi has formulated a task force of volunteers namely 'SERVE' which has been appreciated and adopted worldwide. She said 29 activities were associated with the volunteers of task force. She stressed that swimming training to the school children should also be included in their curriculum.Special Secretary, SDMA D.C. Rana gave a detailed presentation on newly launched four schemes. He said that SDMA will extend all kind of assistance to all the institutions imparting training on hazard risk reduction to various people including masons and engineers. He said a detailed training module has already been prepared and available on SDMA website.Deputy Commissioners of various districts, SDMs, Principal IGMC, CHOs, BMOs, representatives of cement companies, engineers and other stakeholders participated in the seminar.