Adequate knowledge and public awareness about earthquake and early preparedness can substantially reduce the extent of losses of human lives during the natural calamity.
The views were expressed at a discussion arranged on the occasion of demonstrating artificial earthquake drill at Khasbag Government Primary School ground under Ward No-30 in the city on Sunday afternoon.
The Ward No-30 Disaster Management Committee (WDMC) and Volunteers’ Groups jointly organised the drill with assistance of Fire Service & Civil Defense Station under the Oxfam-funded “Enhancing Inclusive Disaster Resilience in Bangladesh’ project.
Rangpur City Corporation and ‘Pollishree’, an NGO, extended cooperation in arranging the drill for raising mass awareness among the students as well as common people about earthquake.
City Councilor (Ward No-30) Disaster Management Committee Jahangir Alam Tota addressed the pre-earthquake drill discussion as the chief guest with President of the WDMC Abdul Jalil Mian in the chair.
Senior Station Officer of Rangpur Fire Service & Civil Defense Station Shahidul Islam, Sadar Upazila Assistant Education Officer Zahedul Islam, Project Coordinator of ‘Pollishree’ Shahanaz Parveen, Headmistress of the school Naznin Begum addressed as special guests.
Taking part in the discussion, Shahidul Islam elaborately narrated about importance of building awareness on earthquake among the students and providing them with adequate knowledge and training for comprehensive disaster managements during earthquake.
“The losses of human lives could be reduced substantially through providing training on basic first aids and disaster preparedness among the students to enable them assisting the victims timely on the spots during and after earthquake,” he said.
He said most of the severest intensity earthquakes occurred at daytimes in past 100 years causing maximum casualties in educational institutions for lack of preparedness and knowledge among teachers, students and concerned authorities.
Shahanaz Parveen stressed on incorporating special curriculum on reducing disaster risks and providing training to teachers and students to disseminate knowledge on earthquake preparedness and create social awareness on self-saving for all people.
The chief guest suggested for organising and demonstrating artificial earthquake drills, rescue and relief operations in all educational intuitions to educate the students and teachers on their roles for ensuring safety measures during and post earthquake times.
