Here is an intro into our current project here in Islamabad, please do give us your input.
DPART functions as an emergency response team comprised of trained and experienced search and rescue volunteers. DPART is actively involved in community awareness and preparedness and trains communities and schools in emergency preparedness and response as well as cross training with local emergency services personnel and organize spontaneous volunteers at a disaster site.
DPART stands for Disaster Preparedness and Response Team an appropriate name for the primary functions of the team. Formed and staffed entirely by volunteers in 2006 to meet the growing demand following increased natural and manmade hazards within the country which usually stretch existing response capabilities thin, as seen on the October 8th Earthquake and countless other emergencies. As a voluntary rescue team we depend on donations and the dedication of our volunteers both in administration and operations.
Our primary objectives are the relief of human suffering and distress resulting from disaster of any kind and the protection and preservation of human life in particular, but not exclusively, by providing a suitably trained response team free of charge upon receipt of a request for assistance.
Following a disaster or emergency within Islamabad/Rawalpindi the DPART team can be assembled and en route to deploy its unique life-saving skills. A request for assistance can be made by official emergency services such as Rescue 15/Police or other non profits such as EDHI ambulance Service.
These often-hazardous missions are manned by dedicated volunteers who, through dpart?s intervention, aim to save lives, allied with education and training programmes.
The dpart team is designed to be self sufficient during operations with an independent incident command systems, tents, food, hydration and medical officers. The team understands the sprit of volunteerism and is ever ready to organise spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
The team has trained firstaiders, paramedics and doctors as well as task specialists. Several members of the team are or have been first responders with the police or ambulance service, some volunteered as individuals during the devastating earthquake on October 8th and others just want to contribute their time to saving lives during disasters and preventing injury or death by providing adequate training to citizens in emergency preparedness and disaster response.
DPART is comprised of entirely by volunteers who give their time to train, fundraise and respond to disasters and training operations as well as adding to the capacity of local emergency services.