Flood: NEMA Trains Adamawa Emergency Responders

The Yola Operation Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has trained emergency responders on search and rescue during flood incidents.

The training focuses on how the responders can pool resources in a coordinated manner to deliver emergency responses.

Papers were also presented on the search and rescue emergency preparedness plan (SAREEP), safety evacuation in flood water, and safety tips on waterways.

The trainers conducted a demonstration by using a throw back and a life jacket for safety in large bodies of water.

The director-general of NEMA, who was represented by the head of Operations in Yola, Ladan Ayuba, said the presence of representatives from the various response agencies underscored the spirit of collaboration that defines effective response in the country.

“As we are in the peak of the rainy season and flood incidents continue to threaten communities, there is a need to re-equip ourselves with the basic principles of search and rescue,” he said.

A representative of the Federal Fire Service, Aliyu Abubakar of the Adamawa State Command, said disasters such as fire and flood often come like a thief in the night, unexpectedly, necessitating constant readiness among those charged with mitigating their effects.

Abubakar said, “We appreciate this training and involvement of the various stakeholder agencies. We, as responders, need to work in synergy to ensure proper coordination when we respond to emergencies.

The other participants from the Police, the NSCDC, the FRSC, NIWA, NRCS, and ADSEMA spoke in the same vein, underlining the importance of the refresher training to enhance readiness