Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: The Longleng district has officially launched the Community First Responder Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening local disaster preparedness. Deputy Commissioner W. Manpai Phom, who serves as chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society Longleng Branch, inaugurated the two-day event at the Phom Baptist Christian Association Mission Centre. The program is a collaborative effort between the Indian Red Cross Society Nagaland State Branch and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority.
Phom emphasized that because local residents are always the first to reach the scene of an emergency, they must possess the skills necessary to bridge the gap before professional responders arrive. The training focuses on teaching volunteers basic first aid, emergency evacuation protocols, and search and rescue techniques. The goal is to transform everyday citizens into capable responders who can mitigate the impact of natural calamities.
Master trainer Kholie Dolf provided an introduction to first aid while outlining the humanitarian history of the Red Cross movement. He noted that the organization has operated on principles of impartiality and voluntary service since its inception in 1863. The Indian Red Cross Society was established in 1920, with a presence in Nagaland beginning in 1982.
Local officials confirmed that this training is part of a larger, ongoing effort to build community resilience. The Red Cross plans to continue hosting capacity-building exercises, awareness campaigns, and mock drills across wards and villages to ensure the district remains ready for unforeseen disasters.
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