PEER adds more MFR and CSSR instructors in Nepal
Mar 2, 2016
National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), in partnership with Nepal Police, completed the series of instructors’ development courses for Medical First Responder (MFR) and Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) under the Program for Enhancement of Emergency Response (PEER). The MFR and CSSR instructors’ courses development stream consists of Training for Instructors (TFI), MFR Instructors’ Workshop (MFRIW) and CSSR Instructors’ Workshop (CSSRIW). These PEER instructors’ courses aim in developing regional and national level MFR and CSSR instructors who will be qualified to facilitate delivery of MFR and CSSR courses in-country and may be invited to assist other PEER countries, as needed. Similarly, they will become potential assets of their respective organizations in human resource development in emergency preparedness and response. PEER is being funded by USAID/OFDA and is presently being implemented by NSET in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
The Joint Closing Program of PEER Courses (TFI, MFRIW and CSSRIW) was held on February 28, 2016 at Nepal Police Disaster Management Division, Samakhushi, Kathmandu. The event was graced by senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Nepalese Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and NSET.
Major Roshan Gurung, course participant from Nepalese Army, delivered participants’ impression. He cited that becoming a PEER-certified instructor is the beginning of real training where the knowledge and skills learnt will be tested in developing responders and spent during actual emergency response.
Mr. Baburam Bhandari, Undersecretary and Chief of National Emergency Operations Center, MoHA, mentioned in his speech that PEER trainings were seen effective during the April 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. He also added, MoHA believes that the graduates will utilize the knowledge learned during these series of trainings in their respective fields and that MoHA will be supportive of such skill enhancement programs which will contribute to the national strategy of developing search and rescue (SAR) teams in different levels of capacity.
PEER impact was further acknowledged by Armed Police Force and Nepal Police. DIGP Subodh Kumar Adhikari, Armed Police Force, stated in his message that we needed technical expertise, similar to PEER trainings, as realized during the Gorkha Earthquake. AIGP Kedar Prasad Saud, Chief of Operations Department of Nepal Police, Chief Guest during the closing program, also stated in his speech that through PEER trainings, all security forces have gained the benefits in enhancing capacity and was proved during the response in 2015 Gorkha Earthquake. Taking further steps in capacity building, Nepal Police recruited some 1,073 personnel to be trained in emergency response skills through Nepal Police Disaster Management Division, and they will be positioned in the five development regions of the country.
Dr. Ramesh Guragain, Deputy Executive Director, NSET, highlighted in NSET’s message that completion of this PEER instructors development stream (MFR-CSSR-TFI-MFRIW-CSSRIW) is another milestone for Nepal in developing qualified instructors to teach MFR and CSSR courses. Through training of trainers, more skilled responders will be trained, contribute to the capability building of response organizations and more importantly, achieve the main goal of reducing casualties in emergencies or disasters and increase the survival rates of disaster victims. Through USAID/OFDA support, Nepal has now a total of 137 MFR and 105 CSSR instructors certified under PEER.
