The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Wednesday organised a one-day refresher training on Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) for its employees in Ibadan.

The training was extended to critical stakeholders with emphasis on strengthening emergency preparedness, flood response and inter-agency collaboration.

The South-West Zonal Director of NEMA, Saheed Akiode, emphasised the importance of continuous capacity building for emergency responders, particularly in view of the risks associated with flooding and other disasters.

Mr Akiode noted that refresher training remained essential to ensuring that personnel involved in emergency response were adequately prepared to act swiftly and safely during disasters.

He stressed the need for effective coordination among agencies responsible for disaster management, security, firefighting, medical response and evacuation.

According to him, successful rescue operations often depend on the ability of different agencies to work together seamlessly.

He stressed the need for collaborating agencies to identify individual agency roles in the overall collective emergency management response.

Responding to questions about effective collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA), he lamented what he described as poor support from the state government.

He noted that OYSEMA had yet to receive the necessary government attention it deserves to function optimally.

He, therefore, called on the state government to urgently address the funding and personnel capacity-building gaps.

He maintained that emergency response and disaster management were not exclusively the sole responsibility of NEMA.

According to him, the prevention of tragedies such as fire and flood disasters remains everybody’s business.

“We have to be able to evolve effectively in line with the emerging disaster management dynamics, and we must continue to deepen inter-agency collaboration because this is not just about NEMA alone; emergency management is everybody’s business.

“We believe that with all the information you have received today, you are better equipped for your roles and responsibilities during rescue operations,” Mr Akiode said.

Earlier, Head of NEMA, Ibadan Operations Office, Deji Yunusa, emphasised the importance of continuous training and preparedness among emergency responders.

He said this had become necessary, particularly as flooding continues to pose significant risks to communities in different parts of the state.

Mr Yinusa noted that the refresher training would help participants strengthen their knowledge of search and rescue procedures, evacuation planning and safety measures, while also equipping them for effective emergency response.

He affirmed the need for stronger collaboration among agencies involved in disaster management, noting that effective emergency response requires timely communication, coordination and clearly defined responsibilities.

He advised participating stakeholders to sustain the relationships established during the training and work together to improve preparedness, reduce response time and protect lives and property during flood and other emergencies.

The Head of Operations, Federal Fire Service, Oyo State Command, Ayodeji Omole, highlighted some safety challenges confronting responders during search and rescue operations, particularly in flood situations.

Mr Omole focused on the need for emergency personnel to properly assess risks before embarking on rescue missions to avoid unnecessary exposure to hazards while attempting to save victims.

He also drew attention to the importance of preparedness and adherence to established operational procedures in ensuring that rescue efforts did not result in additional casualties.

Participants were taken through general safety measures to be observed when evacuating flood victims through waterways, including the need for proper coordination and caution when using boats and other watercraft.

The Head of NEMA, Search and Rescue Operations, Ayo Abolarin, also emphasised the importance of preparedness and effective search-and-rescue techniques in responding to emergencies.

Mr Abolarin addressed issues relating to the practical management of search and rescue operations.

He stressed the need for responders to understand the environment they operate in and identify potential hazards before commencing rescue activities.

He also stressed the importance of effective communication and coordination among responders, particularly during complex emergencies involving several agencies.

The programme featured an interactive session where participants and representatives of relevant agencies had robust discussions on ways to deepen inter-agency collaboration in disaster management. 

(NAN)