Feature Article
 
Nepal CSSR instructors increase
Nepal has completed Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue Instructors Workshop (CSSRIW) on January 9-15, 2012 at the National Police Academy, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal. This course teaches participants the skills in facilitating a CSSR course, which includes lesson presentations, management of practical exercises and evaluation of trainees. Participants to this course were instructor-candidates from Armed Police Force, Nepal Red Cross Society and Nepal Police. Until date, Nepal has a total of 65 CSSRIW graduates, who are qualified to facilitate CSSR course. These graduates are also expected to share their knowledge and expertise in other disaster preparedness activities. The course was further enriched by inputs from the course monitor, Mr. Medardo Batiller, Chief of Operations, Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation-Philippines. This CSSRIW in Nepal was organized through PEER Partial Funding Assistance Program (PFAP).

NDRF India completes two MFR Courses
During Third Program Year of PEER Stage 3 (2009-2013), NSET has inducted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) of India as one of PEER partner institutes. With the aim to produce more highly skilled trainers in Medical First Response (MFR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) courses, two MFR courses were completed at 03 NDRF Battalion, Mundali, Cuttack, State of Orissa, during the months of November-December 2011. First MFR course was organized from November 21, 2011 to December 3, 2011. Second MFR course was conducted from December 6, 2011 to December 18, 2011 at the same venue. All course participants were nominated by NDRF from its 10 battalions strategically located in various regions of India. Similarly, national instructors were selected by NDRF in consultation with NSET. The instructors were from the four different para-military forces in India, namely, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which are also PEER partner institutes. In order to maintain the standard of the course, a senior and experienced instructor from Nepalese Army, Dr. Sarita KC, served as Course Monitor during the first MFR course, and Mr. Thule Rai, Superintendent of Nepal Police and a senior and experienced MFR instructor, served as Course Monitor during the second MFR course. These MFR and CSSR courses in India are being supported through PEER Partial Funding Assistance Program (PFAP).
Until date, India has a total of 223 MFR graduates, 120 CSSR graduates; out of which, India has 104 instructors for MFR course and 94 instructors for CSSR course – all under PEER. CSSR course is set to be held on February 3-10, 2012 at the same training venue.

Farewell to Training Course Material Specialist, Ms. Neelam Parajuli
NSET bids farewell with a heavy heart to Ms. Neelam Parajuli, PEER Training Course Materials Specialist. Ms. Parajuli has worked with NSET on PEER implementation from November 2005 until November 2011. Our sincere appreciation for her valuable works and contribution to the management and development of PEER curricula - from review and updating, adaptation, translation, and development of new courses for MFR and CSSR streams, such as Refresher Courses; and for her active role in facilitation of program implementation in the 6 beneficiary countries.
As she starts a new phase in her life, we wish her all the best in her career and all her endeavors!

Database Management Training in Pakistan
The National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)-Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Punjab Emergency Services (PES) organized a two-day PEER Database Management Training at Emergency Services Academy, Lahore, Pakistan on September 6-7, 2011. Representatives from NDMA and PES participated in the training. All participants had hands-on practical sessions on PEER Database Management System and access information about PEER graduates, instructors, focal points and institutions in implementing countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines).

Further need of a national database system regarding DRR trainings and trained professionals; and develop a system of sharing among the stakeholders were the main discussion points during the sessions.

After completion of the training, all participants were able to retrieve necessary PEER information in the region as well as PEER Pakistan database. PEER database is currently managed by NSET , and can be accessed online by PEER partners.