more-in A group of Fire and Rescue Services personnel, mostly comprising drivers and mechanics from various parts of north Kerala, was trained in operating inflatable rubber boat fitted with an outboard engine in the sea on Friday. Those in the roles of trainers were fishers from the city who had proved their mettle in safe rescue operations during the recent floods. There were around 40 personnel from northern districts such as Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Wayanad. The hands-on training was conducted with the support of fishers on the premises of the Vellayil harbour. Fire and Rescue Services officials of the Meenchanda station said it was for the first time that they had approached the fishers’ community directly for a quick training session in sea. Though there were inflatable rubber boats aplenty at various fire stations, operating them after fitting an outboard engine was unknown to many, they said. An officer in charge of the in-house training session said the field lessons shared by fishers would be helpful for trainees to swing into action more confidently during flash floods and other natural calamities. “We sought fishermen’s support as they had conducted excellent rescue work using outboard engine boats during the recent floods,” he added.

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