Fire and rescue services personnel showcase skill in rescue operations

After the district experienced cloudburst and, as a result, unprecedented floods in December 2023, the Fire and Rescue Services Department is holding emergency rescue operation drills ahead of the northeast monsoon, which usually starts in mid-October.

Fire and rescue services personnel, in the presence of Collector R. Sukumar, demonstrated their skills in Tamirabharani River near Peraatchi Amman Temple in Vannarpet on Wednesday. They rescued victims from the river (marooned areas during downpour) and educated the public on saving themselves from flood-hit areas with the materials available in their homes.

After rescuing the ‘flood victims’ with inflatable boats, the personnel taught the basic principles of making floats with materials available in almost every home such as plastic cans, barrels and bamboo poles. They also explained in detail about the dos and don’ts during heavy rain and floods.

Students from schools and colleges were trained to rescue techniques during the drill. After explaining about the functioning and operation of rescue equipment available with the fire and rescue services department, scuba divers ‘rescued’ a mannequin drowned in the Tamirabharani.

Dr. Sukumar said 10 fire and rescue services teams had been selected for undergoing 45-day-long rigorous training in rescue operations. After successfully completing the training session, the teams would be kept ready at various places to face any eventualities. Additionally, taluk-level teams with 25 trained members had also been formed for carrying out relief and rescue operations in case of emergency during the upcoming monsoon.

School children were safely ‘evacuated’ from the marooned areas with rope bridges.

District Fire Officer Bhanupriya, Disaster Management tahsildar Saravanan and students participated in the drill.