Parth Samnani, the coordinator of the Safety and Medical Advisory Council (SMAC), sat down for an interview with the BOSM English Press, finding time in his busy schedule. He gave an insight into the functioning of his council and spoke proudly of the growth that SMAC has seen both in terms of its workforce and the work it does.

The key role of SMAC is to provide medical aid and safety to the players all through BOSM. Parth says a lot of planning is done pre-fest—several permissions have to be acquired, and the inventory has to be well handled. Logistics have to be carefully managed, and the location of ambulances and medical stalls have to be strategically determined. 

Their stalls have always had two paramedics who attend to minor injuries. The last edition of BOSM saw them handling around 200 cases. In case of serious injuries the victims are rushed to the Sarvajanik hospital in an ambulance. Parth says that in BOSM ’18, a player came in with a gash in his head; this was apparently one of the most serious injuries they have ever handled. Until las year, SMAC did not have a stretcher, which made moving the players from the field to the stalls a tedious task. This year however, they have managed to get a stretcher that is expected to smoothen and quicken the process. 

The council’s work during BOSM is undoubtedly serious important. Hence, its members have to be trained extremely well. As a part of their training, they attended a fire and safety orientation by the chief security officer. They are taught to provide basic first aid and to handle situations requiring their assistance. The council recruits members after a general interaction followed by the completion of certain tasks.

Parth says that the council not only works during the fests but also has a projects team that takes up projects for the improvement of health and safety on campus throughout the year. His main role as a coordinator is to keep the council functioning smoothly and to plan for new projects.