DRMC takes places of worship through their safety paces
24 November 2024
The Disaster Risk Management Centre yesterday wrapped up the last workshop of the year for places of worship, to ensure that they are equipped to deal with various emergencies. Read more below:
The Disaster Risk Management Centre hosted a one-day workshop at the behest of the Muslim Judicial Council in August, focusing on emergency response protocols, evacuation procedures, and ways to mitigate risks during various crises.
Over the past few weeks, the DRMC replicated this workshop with numerous interfaith groups participating.
- 9 November: Emergency Planning, Fire Safety (compliance, signage, evacuation principles); Responding to a bomb threat and fundamentals of crime scene preservation
- 16 November: Emergency First Aid Responders Training (EFAR Training)
- 23 November: Emergency Exercise testing all aspects of emergency response, first aid, incident command
The importance of emergency planning formed a critical aspect of the sessions, including a 'how to' guide, like establishing health and safety committees, and assigning specific tasks, should there be an emergency.
'Places of worship should be sacred, safe spaces, but over time we have come to see that they can be vulnerable to attack, and that they are not exempt from potential natural disasters. So this training is critical, because it provides hands on guidance and training that can mean the difference between life and death in the event of an emergency. Education, training and awareness is the cornerstone of our disaster prevention mandate, and I would encourage faith-based organisations to get involved if they've not done so already,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
The DRMC will resume training interventions in January 2025. Any places of worship wishing to participate, can contact
Nolitha.qaku@capetown.gov.za
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
