THE VOLUNTEER: 2010

Sunday, January 17, 2010

First aid training is best for dealing with emergency: Vipin Published on

PANAJI: Mr Vipin Sharma of ‘Tare Zamin Par’ fame said that taking a practical course in first aid is the best preparation for dealing with an emergency. He said injuries such as head and hand injuries, broken bones although may not be immediately life-threatening, first aid may help someone recover more quickly and avoid permanent damage.

Mr Sharma was speaking at the first aid training workshop conducted by the personnel of Home Guard organisation, Panaji for the staff of International Centre, Goa on Saturday. He gave away prizes and certificates to the participants of the workshop ON sEPTEMBER 6, 2010.

Director of International Centre, Ms Nandini Sahay, company commander of Home Guards, Mr John Aguiar, platoon commander, Mr Suresh Patekar were present on the occasion.

Ms Sahay spoke on practical procedures, including checking for breathing and circulation, placing a person in the recovery position, and life-saving techniques such as giving rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) if breathing has stopped, and chest compression if both breathing and circulation have ceased. Using these techniques will ensure that vital organs such as the brain receive enough oxygen to keep the person alive until medical help is at hand.

Company commander, Home Guards Mr John Aguiar explained the aims and objectives of the Home Guard organisation and outlined the history in brief.

Platoon commanders Mr Suresh Patekar and Mr Uday Kudtarkar both president’s medal recipient instructors conducted the workshop for the staff of International Centre.

The prizes for best demonstration of the first aid and rescue methods were presented on the occasion. The Landscaping department of the centre headed by Mr Agnelo Noronha bagged the first prize, the Programme and Maintenance department bagged the second prize, the third prize was bagged by the Reception department while the fourth prize of was bagged by Ms Venecia and Ms Tarmati. All departments of the centre participated in the demonstration.

Mr Arjun Halarnkar, Mr Pramod Naik and others were present on the occasion.

GOA HOME GUARDS ORGANISATION & HISTORY

The Home Guard organisation was set up in Goa in the year 1967 with a sanctioned strength of 400 Home Guard volunteers which was later enhanced to 600. However on granting statehood to Goa in the year 1987, strength of 100 Home Guards was allotted to the Union Territory of Daman and Diu thereby retaining strength of 500 Home Guards for Goa State. Recently , the strength of the Home has been sanctioned to additional 250 Home Guard volunteers making the total sanctioned strength to 750. The Home Guard Organisation was established in a full-fledged manner in the year 1981 under the Inspector General of Police/Ex-Officio Commandant General Home Guards & Director Civil Defence. Presently the DGP is the Ex-Officio CGHG & DCD. Home Guards in Goa are governed by the Bombay Home Guards Act, 1947 which was extended in 1965. Home Guard volunteers work on the basis ‘No work – No pay’.

The General supervision and control of Home Guards in the State, vests in the Director General of police, who is Ex-Officio Commandant General of Home Guards and Director Civil Defence. Suitable persons who are fit and willing to serve in the organisation are appointed as Home Guards with the approval of the Commandant General. The Home Guards when called out for duty or training has the same powers, privileges and protection as an Officer of Police.

Home Guard Organisation offers opportunity to the young men and women to serve the society. The eligibility for recruitment of Home Guards are:-
1. Educational Qualifications – Class IV Standard.
2. Age – 20 to 50 years.
3. Should clear medical examination for fitness.

The Commandant General may relax the conditions regarding the age and educational qualifications in suitable cases.
On appointment the term of office of Home guards is three years provided further that a person appointed shall be eligible for re-appointment. A member of Home Guard may continue to be such member until he attains the age of 55 years.

ROLE OF HOME GUARDS
The following roles are assigned to the Home Guards:-a) Serve as an auxiliary to the Police and assist in maintaining internal security. b) Assist the community in any kind of emergency and Air raid, a fire, a flood, an epidemic and so on. c) Organise functional units to provide essential services such as Motor Transport, Pioneer and Engineer groups, Fire Brigade, Nursing Aid, Operation of water and power supply and installations etc. d) Promote communal Harmony and give assistance to the administration in protecting weaker sections of the society. e) Participate in social, economic and welfare activities such as adult education, health and hygiene, development schemes and such other tasks as are deemed useful.

INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYMENT IN GOVT. SERVICE
In recognition to the services rendered by the Home guards, many states have reserved vacancies of Constables, firemen, Excise Department or jail warden. This state too has already approved reservation of 10% of vacancies in the post of Police constables, Excise Guards, Jail Guard, Firemen and Forest Guard and the said departments have been directed to maintain a hundred points roaster and fill up the reserved vacancies/posts.

DUTY ALLOWANCE
Present duty allowance of Home Guards in Goa State has been raised to Rs. 200/ - per head per day.

The Home Guards organisation is basically voluntary in character, and this concept has been kept in view throughout the organizational set up. A urban Home Guards Company consists of 110 personnel. All the personnel are volunteers. A nucleus of paid staff for command and control is, however authorized at various levels.