Odisha government has launched a new Rakshak Scheme on 10 November 2021. In this scheme, govt. will provide training to volunteers staying / working at eateries or other business establishments located near accident prone areas to become first responders to road accidents. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated First Responder Training Programme as a road safety initiative to save precious lives. In this article, we will tell you about the complete details of Odisha Rakshak First Responder’s Training Programme.
Odisha Rakshak Scheme 2024 for Road Safety
Odisha Rakshak Scheme is first of its kind state level programme in the country where 30,000 volunteers staying or working at the eateries and different business establishments located near accident prone spots will be trained as First Responders to road accidents.
Launch of Rakshak First Responder’s Training Programme in Odisha
CM Naveen Patnaik has launched Rakshak Scheme on 10 Nov. While launching the scheme, CM said “Road accidents are a serious cause of concern as this has a serious impact on families and economy of the entire state. In a road accident situation the first hour after the incident is the most critical for saving lives, so Rakshak Scheme is launched.” CM even mentioned that “All of us are good Samaritans. Nothing is more pious than saving human lives. There is also a reward of Rs. 2000 for the people who help road accident victims.”
This capacity building programme is being organised by the Commerce & Transport Department of Odisha government in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State branch.
Phase 1 of Odisha Rakshak First Responder Training Programme
The Odisha Rakshak First Responder Training programme will be conducted in 2 phases. In the first phase 300 Master Trainers will be trained in Training of Trainers (TOTs) by experts from Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC).
The Master Trainers include volunteers from Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch and NGOs across the state. The TOTs will be conducted at 10 places – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore, Koraput, Phulbani, Sundergarh, Keonjhar and Bhawanipatna.
Phase 2 of Odisha Rakshak Scheme
After the Training of Trainers (TOT), in the second phase, 300 Master Trainers will go to accident prone areas in all the 30 districts. These master trainers will provide training to local people and would empower them to render help to the victims of road accidents.
Duties of First Responders in Case of Road Accidents
Around 30,000 First Responders will be equipped to administer first aid and pre-hospital trauma care to accident victims within the golden hour. The First Responders will also educate and inform people about road safety measures and the Good Samaritan law. Odisha Public Transport and Integrated Commuter System (OPTICS) was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
CM Naveen Patnaik hoped that Rakshak programme would help the accident victims to get immediate treatment and save many lives. Driver, road user and the people at the accident spot have equal responsibility. Many lives could be saved and many families could be saved from bad days if they cooperate a little.
Golden Hour in Case of Road Accident
The first one hour of the accident or Golden hour is very important in case of any road accident. Many lives could be saved if accident victims are given immediate treatment during this time. CM said that “Saving the life of an accident victim is the most noble work and a provision has been made to provide an assistance of Rs 2000 to people who come forward to help the accident victims.”
In addition to this, Odisha government has constituted a Rs. 147 crore corpus fund for the treatment of the accident victims. The Chief Minister highly appreciated the NGOs trying to create awareness and working to help the accident victims. CM even hoped that their efforts will succeed and fatalities due to accidents will come down.
Compensation for Road Accident Victims in Odisha
Transport Minister said that accident victims are eligible for compensation through Solarium Fund. As part of this fund, legal heir of a deceased is entitled to get Rs. 2 lakh compensation. A critically injured person is entitled to get Rs. 50,000 under this Rakshak scheme. Fatalities can be averted if victims are provided medical care within the first hour. It is very critical that First Responders are properly trained to handle the road accident scenario.
Usage of OPTICS Application
With the OPTICS application, citizens will be able to know about bus at a location, bus between locations, bus information such as RC, permit, route and time. Apart from this, citizens can rate buses as per their journey experience. Citizens can also file complaints against a bus for specific reasons. About 1.5 lakh people lose their lives in road accidents across the country every year. In Odisha annually more than 5,000 people are killed in accidents. So to save precious lives, Odisha Rakshak Scheme has been launched.
Respected August Chair,
here in this page mentioned that “the Master Trainers include volunteers from Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha State Branch and NGOs across the state. ”
But it is your kind attention, information and necessary action, there is also the Civil Defence Volunteers of Home Department, Government of Odisha, under supervision and instruction of DG/ADG Fire, Home Guards and Civil Defence are participated in TOT programme and successfully completed the training programme.
So, please add the Civil Defence name in the list, not only the Indian Red Cross Society, Odisha Branch and NGOs.