The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja Operations Office has trained no fewer than 40 executive volunteers to mitigate disasters during the yuletide season.
Mr Justin Uwazuruonye, Head, NEMA, Abuja Operations Office, said the trainees were being coopted into emergency management as part of its strategy to ensure swift response during disasters.
“This training and interactive session is for the executive volunteers to get acquainted with the basic use of our equipments and get them ready as we kick start our annual Operation Eagle Eye.
“We will be taking them through on the use of the Incidence Response Van and its equipments and they will also familiarize themselves with other search and rescue equipments.
“Practical safety tips at workplace and the application of basic first aid is part of what the volunteers would be taken on.
“This training is necessary because at this time of the year when we usually experience large movement of people, support from other agencies and volunteers is very necessary.
“They will also be trained to assist us in ensuring that there is free flow of traffic,” he said.
The training had in attendance, volunteers from the medical profession and government agencies, among others.
In a related development, NEMA Abuja Operations Office, has deployed its personnel to man the roads leading in and out of the nation’s capital.
Mr Justin Uwazuruonye, Head, NEMA, Abuja Operations Office, said that the exercise is being carried out in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Civil Defence, Police, VIO, NURTW, FEMA, among others.
“The personnel have been deployed to Giri-Gwagwalada axis, Airport road, Nyanya-Kugbo-Mararaba axis.
“This is being done to ensure the smooth flow of traffic during the festive celebrations and to also complement the efforts of the FRSC.
“This programme will continue during the new year celebrations.
“We have already deployed mobile intensive care unit ambulances for life support, rapid response van with extricating equipment and experienced personnel through out the exercise,” he added.