The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is conducting a basic training programme at the Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna. The five-day training programme, aimed at enhancing the preparedness of Airport Emergency Handlers (AEHs) to respond to CBRN emergencies at the airports, started today.
CBRN emergencies pertain to threats emanating due to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear material.
The training programme is being conducted in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS).
Earlier, four such programmes have already been conducted – one each in Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Varanasi.
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.
Experts from the domain departments viz. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), INMAS, NDMA, etc. will deliver lectures and hold demonstrations on various areas related to CBRN emergency management.
A total of 200 personnel will be trained on various aspects of CBRN emergencies. This includes sensitization of 150 working level staff in a half day module.
A team of NDRF, trained for CBRN emergency, is posted in Patna and their expertise will also be utilized in the programme.