The Hindu Business Line : Training in disaster relief

The idea of disaster management and training was triggered by the tsunami and its aftermath. It is unrealistic to expect the government to shoulder the entire burden in times of natural disasters.

J.N. Amrolia

It is during times of devastation like an earthquake or the tsunami that disaster and crisis management assume great significance. Realising the importance of a well-managed disaster relief, R. Seshasayee, Managing Director, Ashok Leyland, suggested the idea of getting the company's staff trained in disaster and crisis management by the Indian Red Cross, Tamil Nadu. February 2, this year, saw a two-day workshop — an internationally validated training module devised by Red Cross, encompassing both theory, and practical training — in progress for 50 Ashok Leyland employees drawn from various grades.

The training focussed on disaster management — fire hazards, possible industrial hazards, climatic and environmental hazards, psychological support in times of disaster, disaster preparedness, first-aid demonstrations and instruction. Protection of belongings of those deceased during disasters, too, was emphasised. After the training, the programme requires each trained employee to train two of his/her colleagues, thus preparing a ready workforce for unforeseen calamities. The Red Cross, for its part, generates funds and manpower that it can depend on .

Corporate social responsibility

J.N. Amrolia, Executive Director — Human Resources, Ashok Leyland, says, "The idea of disaster management and training was triggered by the tsunami and its aftermath. It is unrealistic to expect the government to shoulder the entire burden in times of natural disasters. We are highly aware of our corporate social responsibility, and this training with Red Cross has proved very informative. Other staff, too, have started benefiting from those trained at the workshop. We are planning to implement this training, along with Red Cross, at our centre in Hosur in April 2007, and a little later at our centres in Maharashtra and Rajasthan."

Amrolia highlights the company's role in producing efficient drivers, trained at their training schools in Delhi and Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. Such training schools would be set up in Punjab and Haryana too. The company has trained over 1.5 lakh drivers in the last 10 years. They have been taught first aid, spillage management, how to deal with chemical cargo accidents, and AIDS awareness. At Namakkal, the AIDS awareness programme is in full flow along with a referral scheme for treatment.

The company also has the unique `Fun Bus' for the physically disabled and the aged. The specially built bus is ideal for the physically impaired and the wheelchair-bound.

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