Summer Preparedness Training for Mandeni Disaster Volunteers

In preparation for the summer season, iLembe District Disaster Centre and the Provincial Disaster Management Centre conducted a refresher training program for disaster volunteers, made up of selected ward committee members, community development workers and other relevant members of the community.

The program took place at Sibusisiwe Hall and was well attended by internal and external role-players, as well as Councillors. Various presentations shared include filling of damage assessment forms, introduction to disaster management and volunteerism, integrated institutional mechanisms and other disaster management legislative matters.

According to the District Disaster Manager Sifiso Ngubane the role volunteers play is vital because it doesn’t start only when disasters strike, but during ongoing prevention and mitigation programs. “It is also your responsibility to help with identifying and profiling risks in your areas or wards, while analyzing vulnerabilities in the community, championing community awareness and educational campaigns and assisting in developing and reviewing disaster management and contingency plans, as well as providing early warning mechanisms to the community,” said Ngubane.

Provincial Disaster Management Centre representative Bheki Phungula outlined the roles and responsibilities for the three spheres of government in disaster management and fire services as well as the protocol to be followed when disaster occurs, including how to fill the disaster management assessment form. “It is important that we all understand our roles and responsibilities to ensure that relief is coordinated early, and the lives of the people affected is able to go back to some level of normality, as soon as possible,” said Phungula.