MOTIVATED by the level of cooperation between it and other response organisations in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, says a Centre for Disaster and Emergency Management, CDEM, would soon be established for simulation exercises and training of officers on search and rescue efforts and basic disaster management techniques.

Disclosing this during a display by rescue officers of the agency on rescue operation and evacuation skills from a skyscraper in Abuja, the Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi said it was staged to better update the public on the level of preparation in the event of an emergency occurrence.

Worried by the weak capacity of some local organisations, especially at state and local government levels, the NEMA boss said the centre would be cost-effective for the training of staff of State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs and volunteer groups on disaster-related issues, while experts from other stakeholders would partner in providing resources personnel.

Muhammad Sani-Sidi said the effective coordination and collaborations of response agencies have not only eradicated inter-agency friction, but had reduced loss of lives and properties through speedy and timely intervention in rescue efforts. He cited the recent fire incidents in Abuja where no single life was lost and only a few vehicles were destroyed.

The DG said the essence of the display exercise was to take momentary look at scenario of an explosion or building collapse as well as show the sequence of activation of the available rescue team at the area. The demonstration exercise was held at the tall ITF building in Abuja which was witnessed by top officers from stakeholders, including the Police, Fire Service, Road Safety Corps, Civil Defence Corps and Red Cross.

The occasion also provided an avenue for NEMA to display some latest equipment for search and rescue operations. Some of the equipment include life Locator, Search Tap, Hydraulic Cutter, Spine Board, , Rescue Basket Stretcher, Dragon Searchlight, Swimming fin, Personal Protective equipment among others

Most of the representatives of the response agencies at the occasion where full of commendation for NEMA and its proactive roles and prompt intervention during disasters and also commended the drilling exercise