35 teachers participate in 4-day disaster mgmt event

Our Correspondent

Nahan, August 4
Recognising the vulnerability of Sirmaur district to various natural disasters and the heightened risk faced by local schools, a four-day workshop on disaster management began today at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) auditorium in Nahan.
The residential training programme was officially launched by Acting District Project Officer (Samagra Shiksha) Himanshu Bhardwaj.
District Coordinator Omkar Sharma, who is also a lecturer at DIET, Nahan, provided details about the workshop, noting that it would run from today to August 7.
The event witnessed the participation of 35 Junior Basic Teachers (JBTs) representing winter-session schools across the district. Sharma elaborated the comprehensive agenda of the workshop, including in-depth lectures on various types of disasters, their impacts, causes and specifics such as earthquakes, tectonic plates, disaster risk reduction and the disaster profile of the state.
Other critical topics to be covered include the psychology of disaster-related science, disaster management strategies, climate change, disaster cycle, administrative role in disaster response and the responsibilities of participants in ensuring the safety of schools.
Additionally, the workshop will focus on developing school disaster management plans and promoting safe educational practices.
Participants will also engage in a thorough analysis of past disasters that have affected the district, studying their causes, impacts and lessons learned under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
In addition to the theoretical sessions, the workshop will feature practical demonstrations. Experts from the Chief Medical Officer’s office in Nahan will discuss emergency medical treatments during disasters, including CPR techniques and treatment for illnesses such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya and scrub typhus. Furthermore, hands-on training sessions will be conducted by the Home Guard office, focusing on search and rescue operations, fire safety and other critical emergency response skills.
Bhardwaj said, “The main objective of the workshop is to ensure the safety of schools and protection of children from various types of disasters. It is crucial that we prepare our educators to respond effectively to any potential threats.”
The workshop also saw the presence of disaster management expert Rajan Kumar Sharma from the District Disaster Management Authority, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Nahan, who talked in detail about disaster management.
The initiative reflects a proactive approach to disaster preparedness in the region, aiming to equip local educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard students and schools against natural calamities.