The motto of partner organisation First Response Radio (FRR) is "Ready When Disaster Strikes" with the aim to inform affected communities by radio within 72 hours of a disaster.  How do they do this? 

Their approach is to: Equip.  Train.  Respond. 

Disaster preparedness, building capacity prior to an emergency, through equipping and training teams before disaster is crucial for a timely response.  Feba’s Partner Relationship Manager, Johnny recently joined Feba India staff in Bangalore for training.  

how do you know where to find help if there is no TV, no internet, no phone networks?

We are usually awash with ways to access information and communicate. We sometimes even complain about suffering from “information overload”. With internet access on our mobile devices we’ve got used to having information ‘on the go’ and constantly at our fingertips. Some of us might start to feel a bit lost when we are temporarily without it. How do you feel if your battery runs out or you leave the house without your phone?

What would you do if your access to information was suddenly cut off?

Imagine the needs of people in a disaster.

The first things that might spring to mind are people’s need for safety, shelter, water, food, healthcare, clothes…but how do you know where to find help if there is no TV, no internet, no phone networks?

If all mainstream communication channels are down, how can affected communities find out how to access humanitarian aid?  Emergency radio can help.

These services are key in getting life-saving information to disaster affected populations. 

A portable radio station for emergencies - the studio in a suitcase

Radio as emergency response

Delivering life-saving information is a crucial part of emergency response.

Radio can provide a range of essential information to listeners:

• disaster news details on how to find shelter
• where to get water and food
• how to access medical help
• information on sanitation and hygiene
• emotional support

Training the trainers

Deploying portable “suitcase studios” in advance of an emergency, our partners are able to respond quickly in areas prone to disaster.  A local network of responders are proactively trained to deliver critical communications before disaster strikes. Training is also provided to those who will teach others how to run the station.

Recently First Response Radio ran a “Training of Trainers” refresher course for Feba India team members in Bangalore. Video calls made it possible for FRR’s International Coordinator Mike Adams to lead the training while in Cambodia and Feba’s Partner Relationship Manager, Johnny to join in from the UK.

Members of the Feba India training team are joined remotely by First Response Radio's Mike Adams & Johnny, Feba's Partnership Manager. 

 

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Read more: Emergency Response training in South India

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