Nod given for disaster management centre in South Goa: DM

MARGAO, JUNE 4
South Goa district Magistrate, G P Naik has said the government has in principle approved a proposal to have a disaster management training centre in South Goa, even as a team of the National Disaster Response Force will be stationed in south district to meet all emergency situations in the state.
“The government has suggested to acquire land for the disaster training centre in South Goa. Once it becomes a reality, this centre will take care of the needs of Goa”, Naik said, while addressing a program on capacity building in disaster management at the NUSI Maritime Academy at Chinchinim on Friday.
Naik said that the district authorities are managing the disaster management training at the NUSI Academy, adding that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been referred to the Law department for vetting. He said the National Disaster Management Authority has assured to station a Response team in Goa to meet the requirements.
Making an appeal to the officials to take active part in the capacity building program, Naik requested the Executive engineers to instruct the subordinates properly onon disaster management.  “We have noticed that while higher ups are responding to emergency situations within minutes, this is not true vis-à-vis subordinate officials”, he said, while stressing on the need to adequately training the bottom level staff.
He disclosed plans to impart training to officials and staff in areas vulnerable to disasters, including floods.
Later speaking to newsmen, the district Magistrate said the preparedness on the disaster front is far better compared to three years ago. “We the imparting the right training to officials and the community at large”, he said, adding that there’s still loose ends that needs to be tied up.
Asked to throw light on the centre to be set up in south Goa for disaster management , Naik said the government is keen to set up the training centre at the earliest, adding that the district authorities for the moment is concentrating on procuring equipments required for disaster management.
Replying to a question, he said the authorities have identified all vulnerable and flood prone areas and has asked the Water Resources department to take remedial action.
As far as Canacona is concerned, he said the SDM and other officials have been asked to constitute a Quick Response team to meet any eventuality.
Assistant Commandant, National Disaster Response Force S A Ahmed said the team was in Goa to spread awareness amongst the Community during the last five days. “We have explained the life saving technique; how to save lives, how to carry the casualties, how to evacuate people et al during the awareness program”, he said.