Fiji Red Cross: Increased awareness needed on emergency response
Safety co-ordinator encourages need for training after Nabou accident
Riaz Khan, the safety co-ordinator for the Fiji Red Cross Society National Office, said people should know some of the right things to do at the scene in incidents such as the Nabou accident that claimed eight lives.
“(We) will try to partner up the Fiji Police Force, the Land Transport Authority, media advertisements or request from corporate clients to increase awareness,” he said. “Increased training and more awareness will give a clear picture
Increased training and more awareness will give a clear picture and understanding on how to respond during an emergency: Riaz Khan
and understanding on how to respond during an emergency. “Right assessment and treatment will also create more chances of survival,” Mr Khan said.
Mr Khan said they have been conducting a public session on First Aid for more than five years now where they conduct two sessions in a month in Suva at Ministry Civil Service Training Centre in Nasese. He also said there were sessions happening in the West throughout the year at the Lautoka Red Cross Branch.
“Our sessions are always full as now its OHS mandatory course, not only at workplace, but anywhere in general,” said Mr Khan. “People who are training through our programmes are well versed on what are their role during and after any incidents or any medical condition anywhere at any time”.
He further highlighted that First Aid should be made compulsory to everyone.
“This includes all the drivers either bikers, private and public service vehicles, heavy goods drivers, machine operators or as an individual, as driver are the first one to reach the scene,” he said.