The first lot of training has been completed wherein 1019 staff who are stationed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Kalyan, Panvel and Lonavala participated
A sweeper, shoeshine boy or gangman, motorman or station master at the railway station could save your life. For the first time ever, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have trained the front line staff who are present at railway stations including to handle disasters and accidents.
The first lot of training has been completed wherein 1019 staff who are stationed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Kalyan, Panvel and Lonavala participated. The CR officials said that rather than waiting for the ambulance to take the victims the doctors the frontline staff can be the first responders.
"These staff are being trained to provide basic first aid that is vital in the golden hour. These are the people who are on the front line and can immediately respond to any accident or disasters" said SK Jain, Divisional Railway Manager (Mumbai), Central Railway. The second phase of training shall begin by this month end.
Each day on an average 9-10 people die on rail tracks in Mumbai. Most of these happen due to lack of medical facilities or that commuters do not get immediate medical treatment. "We shoe polish men are always available whenever there are accidents. There have been cases where our men pick up dead bodies in accidents," said Deepak K, president, Railway Shoeshine Workers Union.
In 2017, there have been 3014 death on tracks on Central and Western Railways. In 65 percent of the cases people get injured or die on tracks while trespassing. Other reasons include falling from overcrowded trains or while dangerously hanging on foot board. Of the total number of deaths reported in 2017 across all the suburban stations, 1651 persons (1,467 men and 184 women) lost their lives while crossing tracks. Besides, 654 passengers, including 58 women, died after falling from running trains.
But the rail authorities feel that with their staffs been given training in disaster management as first responders; the chances of saving lives will go up. Moreover, with emergency medical rooms coming up, the chances shall improve furthermore.
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