City fire officer on UN mission

He was the Mumbai Fire Brigade’s face during the 26/7 rescue mission. And now, R Rahangdale, assistant divisional fire officer and officer on special duty (OSD), has become a part of a global rescue mission under the United Nations banner. 

He is just back from a 16-day gruelling training session from South Korea to join the United Nations Assessment and Coordination group. In simple terms, Rahangdale will be a part of a global team for disaster mitigation. His team will be activated in case of a disaster in any of the UN member countries near India. He would be flown to the disaster site within hours to help coordinate with local and global agencies, search and rescue operations and emergency services. “The training was tough — exercise, communication skills and management of the assistance flowing in,” said the 43-year-old OSD. The course also taught participants how to deal with the media at a disaster site. “Often, the media lands up at the site before us. We were taught to help and take help in assessing damage. There was a mock press briefing session in which we were trained to give information. Don’t hide facts, said the trainer. It could lead to misinformation,” Rahangdale revealed. Large part of the training dealt upon coordination with international agencies like World Bank, World Health Organisation and other donors.

Briefing his seniors, including officials of the disaster management cell in the BMC, Rahangdale said there was space for a City Emergency Management Authority. “Especially since Mumbai is expanding at a brisk pace and is already on the terror list. This authority can choose the right people for right help at the right time,” he said.