NEMA Trains Emergency Responders on Search and Rescue Operations in Kano
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kano Territorial Office, has trained emergency responders and other critical stakeholders on urban search and rescue operations as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to disasters and emergencies.
The training, held on Wednesday in Kano, brought together personnel from NEMA and the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Kano State Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Red Cross Society, and members of the media.
The exercise focused on strengthening inter-agency coordination, clarifying the responsibilities of response institutions and equipping participants with practical knowledge of search and rescue, evacuation and safety procedures during emergencies.
The Head of Operations, NEMA Kano Territorial Office, Dr Nura Abdullahi, who presented the lead paper, provided an overview of the Search and Rescue and Epidemic Evacuation Plan (SAREEP), describing it as a multi-agency emergency response framework developed by NEMA to ensure coordinated action during major disasters and emergencies across the country.
Abdullahi explained the roles of various agencies at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of disaster management, noting that different emergencies require the coordinated deployment of specialised institutions.
He stressed that no emergency response agency could effectively operate in isolation, given the complexity of major disasters and the range of expertise required to save lives, protect property and minimise damage.
According to him, effective disaster management depends on timely coordination and the deployment of the skills, resources and professional competencies of multiple stakeholders.
“As we call it refresher training, the essence is to make ourselves and stakeholders abreast of the techniques required in search and rescue operations because there are a lot of incidents happening in Nigeria.
“Preparedness is also very important in preventing and mitigating disasters, and disaster management is everybody’s business,” he said.
Abdullahi said NEMA would continue to strengthen proactive disaster-management measures through preparedness, public awareness, training and sustained sensitisation of relevant stakeholders.
Also speaking, the Head of NEMA’s Search and Rescue Unit, Abdullahi Tukur, presented a paper on safety concerns in search and rescue operations and evacuation during floods.
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Tukur emphasised the importance of community sensitisation and training, particularly in flood-prone areas, to enable residents to take appropriate measures before, during and after disasters.
He said communities should be adequately informed about evacuation procedures and basic safety measures to reduce casualties and support emergency responders during flood incidents.
Tukur cautioned emergency responders against rushing into hazardous environments without first assessing the safety of the location and identifying safe routes for accessing and evacuating victims.
He noted that responders must take appropriate precautions to avoid becoming victims themselves while attempting to rescue people during emergencies.
He also called for increased household awareness of emergency safety procedures, particularly regarding fire outbreaks, stressing the need for family members to know how to escape safely when emergencies occur.
In his presentation on general safety tips for the use of waterways during evacuation, the Area Manager of NIWA for Kano, Sokoto and Bauchi, Faruk Abubakar Imam, urged boat operators to prioritise the safety of passengers.
He advised passengers using boats and other water transport facilities to always wear life jackets, particularly when crossing rivers and other waterways.
“There is a need for wearing life jackets, avoiding overloading of people and goods and avoiding travelling during the night,” he said.
Imam commended NEMA for organising the training, noting that effective emergency management requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving relevant institutions.
Similarly, an official of the Kano State Fire Service, Sabo Wada Abdullahi, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continued collaboration with sister agencies in managing emergencies and disasters and mitigating their impact on communities.
The Communication Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Kano, Ibrahim Umar Ismail, said the training was vital to sensitising residents and stakeholders on effective disaster response.
Other participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing the sensitisation as an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of inter-agency responsibilities and improve coordination during emergencies.
They reaffirmed their commitment to applying the knowledge and safety measures discussed during the training in their respective organisations and operational environments.
The training underscored the importance of a coordinated, multi-agency approach to disaster management, particularly as effective search and rescue operations require clear delineation of responsibilities, timely information sharing, operational coordination and strict adherence to responder and public safety protocols.
By PRNigeria
