JOIN USHomeguards, fire fighters rescue 'victims' in City
Excitement was high at St Agnes Institution premises with the Home Gaurds and Firefighters displaying techniques to be followed during disastrous situations.
The programme was organised by Dakshina Kannada District Homegaurds, Fire and Emergency Services as a part of their annual, National Disaster Education Day programme in Mangalore on Thursday. Different life saving techniques were demonstrated and students of the school were also made to practice them.
The Home Guards personnel showed how to shift an injured person using methods such as two hand shift method, three hand shift method, pick a back, stretcher carrying methods, shoulder carrying methods and others.
The students cheered the personnel, when they demonstrated a rescue operation and brought a person tied to a stretcher from the top of the school building using ropes.
The students were shown, how to use a fire extinguisher and the fire engines pumped water in full throttle to douse a fire created for demonstration purpose. Fire was also doused using wet blankets.
The personnel cut concrete, metal, wood using various equipment and explained, how they save people’s life when they are struck in these objects during mishaps.
"Mangalore is becoming one of the high rise cities in the country. Today, many live in apartments. In case of mishaps, such as fire, it is difficult to escape. Rather than panicking in such situations, it is better people are aware on how to handle disasters. This programme aims to create awareness," said Chief Fire Service Officer Vardarajan to Deccan Herald.
He also said that many apartments in Mangalore lack fire exits and extinguishers. Every apartment needs to have such emergency exists and people need to maintain them, he said.
DK District Home Guards Chief Dr Nidarsh Hegde said that the awareness week is an annual programme. "We visit various educational institutions and try creating awareness. Disasters can happen anywhere and at any time. People panic in such situations. Many lives are lost due to stampede. If people handle such situations calmly, many lives can be saved," he said.
"It is easy to watch. However, during disaster, the atmosphere has panic in air. Such programmes give us ideas and helps us remain calm," said St Agnes College Principal Sr Dr Prem D'Souza A C. "The display put up by the personnel was exciting. Such techniques are not taught to us in our formal education. However, such programmes prove to be useful while saving lives," said Deena, a student of St Agnes.
Earlier, an awareness rally was inaugurated by Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar. Dakshina Kannada District Homegaurds, Fire and Emergency Services personnel marched from Mallikatte to St Agnes Educational Institution premises.