South Eastern Railway launches CPR and BLS training for staff in Kolkata
Synopsis
South Eastern Railway has rolled out a structured CPR and BLS training drive across its zones, with the first session covering 68 staff at Garden Reach, Kolkata. The three-month programme — backed by Railway Board directives and run with St John's Ambulance Brigade — targets 20% staff coverage and represents one of the more systematic life-skills pushes across India's railway network.
Key Takeaways
South Eastern Railway (SER) launched a CPR and BLS training programme on 22 September 2026 at its Garden Reach, Kolkata headquarters.
The programme targets at least 20 per cent of staff at headquarters and divisions, running for three months .
68 staff members were trained on the inaugural day; sessions will be held once a week at the headquarters.
Training is being conducted in coordination with the St John's Ambulance Brigade and SER's medical department.
The programme has also commenced at divisional headquarters, health units , and Railway Training Institutes across SER zones.
The initiative follows Railway Board directives to build emergency-response capacity among rail staff.
South Eastern Railway (SER) on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, launched a zone-wide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training programme at its headquarters in Garden Reach, Kolkata, in accordance with Railway Board directives. The initiative aims to equip at least 20 per cent of staff at headquarters and divisional levels with hands-on life-saving skills within three months.
How the Programme Is Structured
The training, conducted jointly by SER's medical department and the St John's Ambulance Brigade, comprises three components: a presentation on CPR and Basic Life Support fundamentals, practical hands-on sessions using mannequins, and a multiple-choice assessment to gauge understanding. Participants who successfully complete the programme receive certificates.
On the inaugural day, 68 designated staff members received training at the Garden Reach headquarters. Sessions at this location will be held once every week until all departments are covered over the three-month duration.
Scope Beyond the Headquarters
The programme is not limited to the central headquarters. According to officials, similar hands-on CPR and BLS sessions have already commenced at various divisional headquarters and health units across SER's zones. The training is also being incorporated into the curriculum of Railway Training Institutes under SER, ensuring a broader reach across the railway network.
Why It Matters
'The initiative is aimed at enhancing awareness and preparedness among railway employees to respond effectively during medical emergencies and potentially save lives through timely intervention,' an official said. CPR is critical in the immediate aftermath of cardiac arrests and is equally relevant at accident sites, fire rescues, and building-collapse scenarios — all emergencies that railway staff may encounter on duty.
Notably, officials emphasised that the skills extend beyond the workplace. 'These skills will not only come in handy when they are at work. They will be useful when these people are with their families and friends or while commuting,' an official added, underlining the broader social value of the training.
Context and Significance
The launch follows Railway Board directives aimed at building emergency-response capacity across India's rail network. With railway staff routinely among the first responders at accidents and medical emergencies on trains and platforms, systematic CPR training could significantly reduce preventable deaths. The three-month timeline and the 20 per cent staff coverage target represent a measurable commitment, though independent assessment of outcomes remains to be seen once the programme concludes.
Point of View
Accident rescues, fire incidents — demand immediate first-response capability, yet systematic life-skills training for front-line staff has historically been patchy across Indian Railways. SER's structured three-month drive, with a measurable 20-per-cent coverage target and a St John's Ambulance Brigade partnership, is a step above the usual awareness-lecture format. The real test will be whether the training translates into retained skill and confident deployment; CPR competence decays quickly without refresher cycles, and the programme's current design does not yet detail one. If the Railway Board is serious about network-wide preparedness, a mandatory annual refresher and a public accountability report on actual staff coverage would be the logical next steps.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CPR and BLS training programme launched by South Eastern Railway?
South Eastern Railway launched a hands-on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Basic Life Support (BLS) training programme on 22 September 2026 at its Garden Reach headquarters in Kolkata. The three-month programme, conducted with St John's Ambulance Brigade, aims to train at least 20 per cent of SER staff in life-saving emergency skills.
How many staff were trained on the first day and how often will sessions be held?
68 designated staff members received training on the inaugural day at the Garden Reach headquarters. Sessions will be held once every week at the headquarters until all departments are covered within the three-month timeframe.
Which organisations are running the SER CPR training programme?
The programme is being conducted jointly by the medical department of South Eastern Railway and the St John's Ambulance Brigade. It operates under Railway Board directives aimed at building emergency-response capacity across the rail network.
Will the training be limited to the SER headquarters in Kolkata?
No. The programme has already commenced at various divisional headquarters and health units across SER zones. It is also being incorporated into the training schedules of Railway Training Institutes under SER, giving it a wider geographical reach.
Why is CPR training important for railway staff?
CPR is critical for responding to cardiac arrests, which can occur on trains or platforms, as well as at accident sites, fire rescues, and building-collapse scenarios. Officials noted the skills are also valuable outside the workplace — for families, friends, and during commutes — extending their social impact beyond the railway network.
