Disaster Preparedness and Response Team
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The Disaster Preparedness and Response Team DPART was established in Pakistan in November 2005. However it was not registered as a voluntary agency until 2006 and is comprised of civilian volunteers who give some of their time to train and in major emergencies act as volunteer disaster workers.
The driving force behind DPART comes form a lack of any official disaster training or emergency preparedness institute in Pakistan and the slow progress of the present Civil Defence Services training and lack of emphasis on community/citizen based emergency preparedness.
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[edit] History
In the United States the Government actively supports the development of “Community Emergency Response Teams” whoever because Pakistan’s status as a developing country and low resources the DPART program was initiated entirely by local volunteers and some emergency responders, the entire program and team is self sufficient and the team buys and maintains its own tool and equipment cache.
Using the FEMA C.E.R.T: Community Emergency Response Team as a template DPART was formed on similar principles. To date its volunteers have helped train members of the community and assisted local law enforcement and emergency responders during the Kashmir earthquake and continues to provide support where a official request for assistance is received.
Since its formation DPART has been working to build relationships with emergency services and non governmental organizations and other partners including the Punjab Emergency Ambulance ServiceRescue1122 to help get our message across to the wider audience. Islamabad Police Emergency Services Unit (Rescue 15)Islamabad Police Rescue 15 were one of DPARTs first partners and their assistance provided the program a much needed boost.
Although DPART is a voluntary community based organization we work closely with the local emergency services and work to build lasting partnerships and future aims include developing the capacity of volunteers within the Pakistani voluntary sector in organizations such as the National Volunteer Movement of PakistanNVM-Pakistan.
[edit] Training
DPART training is based on the FEMA CERT Training Manual and the Urban “Light Role” Search and Rescue [Category 1] training regimen, members are also trained in Disaster Preparedness, Fire Suppression, CPR+ Conducting Disaster Medical Operations, Psycho-Social Care “Disaster Psychology” via training partners and at the end of the 6 week training course students have a chance to practice and display their skills at a simulation session. Successful candidates receive the Basic Certificate and will either be assigned to a local team or asked to start a local team where one does not exist.
[edit] DPART Structure
Program Coordinator(1)- Location: Islamabad – Is responsible for the success of the program and ensures admin, training and operational resources are available as well as maintaining a constant link between team leaders, emergency services and partners.
Team/Task Force Leaders (*2)- Locations: Islamabad/Rawalpindi – Is responsible for a team of 6 volunteers in any given area. Each task force has its own team leader. Communicates with Program Coordinator and ESU on scene.
Search and Rescue Component (8) – Location : Islamabad/Rawalpindi - Responsible for the ground search and rescue of survivors, the search and rescue component also provides minor fire suppression support. Communicate with team leader.
Medical Component (4) – Location: Islamabad/Rawalpindi - Each team has a dedicated medical component designed to conduct triage and provide first aid as necessary, the medical component is responsible for the location and establishment of a triage/treatment camp. Communicate with team Leader.
[edit] Logistics and Equipment
Being a voluntary organization finances are low however DPART maintains a cache of equipment and tools logistical support is provided by team members.
[edit] Continuing support for members
After qualifying members are provided ID cards & certificates however they have to pay for the cost of their uniform and their personal responder (kit). Qualifying members are offered the option to progress throughout their voluntary careers with DPART as Team Leaders, Instructors or component specialists.
Members can also gain certifications in Incident Command Systems, Hazmat Awareness, Basic Life Support “Plus” and Shelter/Camp Management.
DPART works hard to partner with emergency services and highlight the important role that properly trained, deployed and managed volunteers can make to a rescue or relief effort, where physical interaction is deemed to dangerous DPART volunteers can provide Psycho-Social Care “Stress Debrief”, Establish/Assist in treatment camps or manage spontaneous volunteers.
