The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The ‘Emergency Safety and First Responder During Disaster’ training held for Taxi Drivers and Bus Drivers
Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen met with the participants of a training for first responders during disasters, held by the Bhutan Red Cross Society (BRCS) to commemorate its 2nd Foundation Day and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
The ‘Emergency Safety and First Responder During Disaster’ Training was for Taxi Drivers and Bus Drivers. 25 Taxi Drivers were trained, alongside of BCRS dzongkhag coordinators. The training will on 9th May, was with 25 bus drivers.
The secretary general of BRCS, Dragyel Tenzin, said that the rationale behind training taxi and bus drivers was because they are often the first on the scene during accidents, and therefore it was useful for them to be mentally prepared and equipped with basic skills, which would enable them to be of help.
The drivers received training on emergency safety, search and rescue, and non-medical first aid. Major Thinley Gyeltshen of the RBA and Dr. Kipchu Tshering were engaged as trainers for the programme.
The BRCS intends to hold more sessions to train a larger number of drivers, as well as follow-up intermediate and advanced trainings once the basic sessions have been completed.
Bhutan Red Cross Society was launched in 2017, as a non-profit, autonomous agency that would support the government and other organizations in disaster management, health, and social services.
Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen is the President of the Bhutan Red Cross Society.
Bhutan Red Cross society commemorated its 2nd foundation day coinciding with the international Red Cross and Red Crescent day on 8th May, 2019.
A two-day training on “Emergency Safety and First Responder during Disaster” was also conducted for the Bhutan Red Cross Society coordinators of various dzongkhags, taxi and bus drivers to commemorate the foundation starting from 8th to 9th May.
The trainers were Major Thinley Gyeltshen and Dr Kipchu Tshering. The first day training was held for Taxi drivers and BCRS dzongkhag coordinators meanwhile the second day training was held for the bus drivers. The participants had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty The Queen on the first day.
The BRCS accepts any volunteers irrespective of their age and qualification even though, to become a member of the BRCS, one must pay a membership fee of Nu.100 annually. The importance of becoming a volunteer or members of the BRCS, basic terminologies, uniqueness of the Red Cross sign and basic life skills like emergency safety, search and rescue and non medical first aid were also taught.
The drivers sacrificed their working day and especially attended this training program as they were informed about it by their coordinators.
There are around 2077 BRCS volunteers as of now across all the Dzongkhags. Major Thinlay Gyeltshen Disaster Specialist of BRCS said that “we have inducted 20 Dzongkhag volunteers as per the royal command”.
Bhutan is among the 192 countries registered with the Red Cross Society.
A 48-year-old taxi driver from Paro who also attended the training program said that he wishes to share whatever he has learnt from the training program with his community and hope that he will be of some help to them.
25 taxi drivers attended this training program on the first day.
Dorji Wangdi, 43 years old from Mongar, a bus driver who also attended the program on the second day said that “I am so thankful to Her Majetsy and other people who were involved in making this training program happen for people like us”.
Major Thinley Gyeltshen said that ‘the greatest impact BRCS will bring is through their motto- ‘Reach the Un-reached’ whereupon BRCS will reach across places where other organizations, stakeholders and government hasn’t reached yet- Our trainings are in the pipeline for the 205 gewogs”.
Trainings which were held in each Dzongkhags have been based on the particular social problem which its dzongkhag faces.
International Red Cross society and Red Cross society is an international humanitarian movement aims at protecting human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings and to prevent and alleviate human suffering. It was founded in 5th October, 1854 by Henry Dunant.
