Security: NEMA builds stakeholders’ capacity in mass casualty management

*Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency notes the training programme would provide an opportunity for all participants to acquire new skills, share experiences and replan strategies in saving lives in cases of disaster

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

In the agency’s commitment to improving capacity building in Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed that it is determined to enhance the stakeholders’ capacity on mass casualty management in the country.

Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General of NEMA, while declaring open a training programme for emergency stakeholders on mass casualty handling, called for timeliness and professionalism in disaster response, reports News Agency of Nigeria.

The training, which was organised in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) received technical support from the British High Commission and the United States (US) Embassy in the country.

The NEMA Chief, represented by Air Commodore Edward Adedokun, Director of Search and Rescue of the agency, said the training would provide an opportunity for all participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to acquire new skills, share experiences and replan strategies in saving many lives as possible in cases of disaster.

The impact of any disaster on lives and properties depends largely on the swift and effective response of crisis management actors.

“In combating today’s threats, capabilities required to go beyond those of any single agency.

“It entails synergy of efforts and interoperability of various components through joints trainings and exercises, information sharing, expertise and resource utilisation in order to achieve the desired results,” the agency stated.

Ahmed further stressed that “it is common knowledge that person’s affected by disasters and crises needlessly die or are permanently confined to wheel chairs as a result of lack of initial care on one hand or unprofessional handling by the spontaneous responders or first responder agencies on the other hand.”

He urged the stakeholders to use the acquired knowledge from the training to contribute their quota in reducing disabilities and mass fatalities, which is usually the aftermath of large-scale disasters.

Mr. Idriss Abbas, Director-General of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), encouraged the participants to learn, update their knowledge and ensure timely response in cases of disasters.

It is important to improve on the alertness level of emergency responders in order to achieve the goal of mass casualty handling, said he.

Aduku Akoji and Mrs. Zuwaira Aliyu from the Federal Fire Service and FEMA respectively, also said that the training would provide an opportunity for them to be better equipped for effective crisis management.

The training, which had both theoretical and practical sessions, had in attendance representatives from the Ministry of Health, NEMA, Federal Fire Service, Civil Defence, FRSC, Nigeria Police Force, FEMA and Red Cross, among others report added.