NDMA steps ahead for training ‘Airport Emergency Handlers’ with more specialized skills

Chennai, September 19: To enhance the preparedness of Airport Emergency Handlers while responding to emergencies, encompassing threats emanating from the use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear material (CBRN) at the airports, the National Disaster Management Authority conducted the basic training programme. 

The training programme is being conducted in collaboration with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS). "It is one major step towards enhancing CBRN safety at our airports" said R. K. Jain, Member, NDMA while highlighting the fact that handling CBRN emergencies need specialized skills and efforts.

 

The training programme, which started today at the Kamaraj Airport in Chennai, was inaugurated by Dr S. Christopher, Secretary, Department of Defence Research & Development and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

"Even a small CBRN related event can cause panic among people at the airports. It is, therefore, important that airport emergency handlers are able to respond appropriately to the arrival of highly trained and better-equipped response teams," said Dr. D.N. Sharma, Member, NDMA.

The programme consists of lectures as well as field training, including live demonstrations of detection and decontamination, including use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Apart from equipping the airport emergency handlers to handle CBRN emergencies, the training programme will also enable them to provide medical first aid and initial psycho-social support. A total of 200 personnel will be trained on various aspects of CBRN emergencies during the week-long training.