Latest news with #SudhansuSarangi
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt launches skill training for civil defence volunteers
Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the Indo-Pakistan tensions, state govt on Sunday launched a six-day training programme for civil defence volunteers to hone their skills, preparing them for emergency situations during war-like conditions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Experts from the (NDRF) imparted training in various areas, including psychological warfare, during the inaugural session. "We have invited experts from various domains for imparting training, whose objective is to enhance the capacity and basic skills of civil defence volunteers enabling them respond effectively to a variety of emergency scenarios," director general (civil defence), Sudhansu Sarangi, said. DIG Uma Shankar Dash said master trainers, who will be trained during the six days, will subsequently conduct training for volunteers across the state. The civil defence wardens are being trained in psychological warfare, covering aspects such as panic management, propaganda identification, rumour control and crowd behaviour. The training programme will encompass essential service maintenance, community drills, evacuation procedures, protection against nuclear, biological and chemical threats, stretcher handling techniques, patient transport, emergency rescue methods, casualty management, debris removal, warning systems and emergency shelter administration. "In the coming days , the volunteers will undergo detailed training on topics such as bomb detection and identification, water purification in emergencies, and food and kitchen hygiene management," Dash said. "The govt's emphasis on strengthening civil defence follows the Centre's directive to all states to enhance their civil defence readiness, following tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack," a govt official said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "New equipment will be purchased from the disaster response fund," he said. CM Mohan Charan Majhi recently called for public participation in the state's civil defence wing as volunteers. He has instructed the extension of civil defence units beyond the current 12 districts into new areas. Official data shows that civil defence volunteer strength has declined from 21,000 ten years ago to just 753 members presently, with 401 based in Bhubaneswar. Unlike govt-recruited firefighters and home guards, individuals can join as civil defence volunteers through an application process.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Govt to set up national scuba diving training centre in Puri dist
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The state govt has decided to establish a national scuba diving training centre at Ramachandi in Puri district. The centre, which is likely to be commissioned next year, will offer professional underwater rescue training to emergency response personnel of the country, while promoting adventure tourism activities in the state. The unit will operate under the Odisha state watermanship and lifeguard institute (OSWALI) at Ramachandi near the sea and Kusabhadra river. The govt has allocated Rs 5 crore to the state police housing corporation for constructing a diving tank and tower with decompression chamber, sources said. The tank will have glass panels for monitoring divers' safety underwater. Since Feb 2014, OSWALI has been operating under the fire services directorate without proper infrastructure for teaching scuba and underwater rescue skills. Currently, trainers use the Kusabhadra river and Bay of Bengal for practical instructions. "We will have our own robust infrastructure at OSWALI where rescuers of various agencies from across the country can be trained on scuba diving and water rescue techniques. Our personnel, who are often sent to the Navy for diving training, will get trained at OSWALI," director general (fire services) Sudhansu Sarangi told TOI. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tukarkan Bitcoin dan Ethereum - Tanpa Dompet Diperlukan! IC Markets MULAI SEKARANG Undo The fire services department has decided to train their personnel on specific domains, including scuba diving, to attend to emergencies, like drowning. At least 2,064 drowning deaths were reported in water bodies across the state over the past three years, govt sources said. While construction work of the scuba centre is underway, the advanced scuba training facility is scheduled for completion in 18 months. It will provide extensive training in various aspects of scuba diving, including rescue operations, underwater navigation and safety protocols. Sarangi emphasised the importance of safety measures, referencing an incident on May 3, 2012, where an assistant fire officer drowned in Mahanadi river, Cuttack, during training with new underwater breathing apparatus. Govt officials indicate this development will strengthen emergency response capabilities and create opportunities in the tourism sector, combining professional training with recreational activities. "This project will serve dual purposes - strengthening our disaster response capabilities and boosting adventure tourism in the state. This facility may be developed as a hub for water sports and adventure activities," Sarangi said. The centre will feature contemporary diving equipment, safety gear and classroom facilities. Internationally certified instructors will ensure training adheres to global standards.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Odisha enhances disaster response with mobile command vehicles
1 2 3 Bhubaneswar: Giving a significant boost to its emergency response infrastructure , the govt has procured two specialized vehicles, described as "offices on wheels", that are designed to serve as mobile command centres during major incidents such as large-scale fires, train accidents, and natural disasters. The state fire and emergency service directorate has received two advanced mobile command vehicles (MCVs) — one designated for coastal regions and another for western areas. These units enable incident commanders to manage rescue operations directly from disaster locations, enhancing response efficiency. Official sources indicated these vehicles were acquired following the Bahanaga train incident that required extensive rescue and restoration work. The tragedy resulted in 296 passenger fatalities and over 1,000 injuries on June 2, 2023. The MCVs feature cutting-edge technology, including video conferencing systems, sophisticated communication equipment and real-time data processing units. These capabilities ensure continuous communication with various agencies while facilitating decisions based on live ground updates. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Walmart Photos With a New Level of Detail Old Money Style Undo These command vehicles are equipped with modern communication devices, satellite phones, internet connectivity, computers and printers. They feature display screens connected to CCTV cameras and drones for real-time situation monitoring. The vehicles incorporate dedicated workspaces for senior officers and technical specialists to assess situations and develop response strategies. "In emergency situations, every minute counts. These MCVs eliminate the need for setting up temporary command posts and ensure that our leadership team can begin coordinating response efforts immediately upon arrival," director general (fire and emergency service) Sudhansu Sarangi told TOI. Sarangi said, "It is essentially a 'mobile or running office' equipped with all facilities for effective incident leadership. One can hold VC with state and national capitals. The incident commanders can coordinate with the rescue workers on the ground, and with authorities at different levels." Sources indicated that similar vehicles are utilised by the Army, NSG and various state police forces for coordinating major operations. "During extensive rescue operations, officers typically remain on-site for 48 to 72 hours. The MCVs provide essential office space with modern communication facilities, rest areas and toilets. For example, in Rath Yatra this MCV can become the command centre for better coordination among various govt stakeholders for smooth conduct of the crowded festival," Sarangi said. Officials stated that during floods and cyclones, these vehicles can be positioned near disaster locations to assist incident commanders in coordinating rescue and restoration activities. Officials said the MCVs can serve as emergency offices during visits by the prime minister, chief minister or other ministers to incident sites, facilitating briefings about rescue operation progress. Earlier, crowded environments created significant communication challenges, with limited facilities for rest or personal needs.
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The Independent
30-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
At least one passenger dead as 11 carriages derailed in India train accident
At least one passenger has died and seven others were injured as 11 coaches of an express train derailed in the Indian state of Odisha on Sunday. The train was travelling from southern India 's Bengaluru city towards the city of Kamakhya, its destination, when it derailed mid-journey at 11.54am local time. The coaches came off the tracks near Cuttack, Odisha, where hundreds of passengers were stranded on the railway tracks as the authorities scrambled to arrange a substitute train. Odisha Fire Service director-general Sudhansu Sarangi confirmed seven passengers were injured and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, officials have yet to confirm any fatality in the accident. An eyewitness on the scene told The Independent one person died and eight were rushed to a hospital while dozens were injured in the accident. Footage from the scene showed passengers climbing out of the derailed coaches of the train with their luggage as workers tried to look through the damaged section of the train. Enraged passengers who were left stranded for hours said there was no drinking water as they waited for help. East Coast Railway spokesperson Ashok Kumar Mishra said: "Arrangements are being made to help the affected passengers reach their destinations. Our priority is to restore the line at the earliest and accordingly, other trains will be diverted," he said. Three trains have been diverted so far because of the train derailment. This is the latest derailment on the country's vast and essential rail network, raising concerns over the safety of a network on which millions of people depend each day. The incident in Odisha comes almost two years after the state saw one of the deadliest accidents in modern Indian history, when a collision between three trains killed nearly 300 people with over 1,000 injuries. 'We do not know why train mishaps are frequently occurring in Odisha. We are hearing that some work was going on and it was not done properly for which the mishap occurred,' a passenger told OTV news. On 22 January this year at least 13 people were killed after passengers disembarked from a train following rumours if fire and were killed after being hit by another high speed train in in Maharashtra 's Jalgaon district. On 30 July last year, 18 coaches of the Mumbai-Howrah Mail derailed near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand after colliding with a goods train. At least two people died in the accident. According to a latest report by the Commission of Railway Safety, the number of railway accidents increased from 35 in 2021-22 to 48 in 2022-23, with serious accidents doubling in successive years.
