With only a few days left till Oasis, the coordinator of the Safety and Medical Advisory Council (SMAC), Prabhsimran Singh, finds himself preoccupied with pre-fest preparation. Despite his hectic schedule, he managed to find some time to sit down with the Oasis English Press for an interview.
The Safety and Medical Advisory Council (SMAC) is a student-run organization that works to ensure that adequate medical supplies, medical support and emergency services are provided to those who need them during fests. Though SMAC is a relatively newly established organization, Prabhsimran relayed that it has gained more traction over the years. Now, it has increased in size, as well as responsibilities and acknowledgement, something that Prabhsimran comments fondly upon. ‘ A few years back when I first joined SMAC, not a lot of people knew about it. Since now we work during BOSM as well as OASIS, I believe it has gained quite a bit of recognition and I’m thankful for that.’
SMAC has taken up multiple initiatives over the years. Bee hive removal is one of the projects that SMAC actively undertakes. During the weeks leading up to Oasis, most of their work centres around getting permission from various faculties or in-charges, and the acquisition of medical inventory, for which SMAC is in conversation with the CMO and the Chief Warden.
During Oasis, SMAC sets up stalls where medical assistance is provided. For this, SMAC works with other departments such as the department of Reception and Accommodation for inventory, the StuCCA and the SU Council for the budget, and the Department of Controls for scheduling.
Emergencies do not come with warnings and neither does the workload for SMAC. SMAC works hard to remain accessible throughout the fest; paramedics are always available at stalls and posters are put up throughout the campus with emergency contacts.
Oasis, Prabhsimran says, is a smoother-running fest than BOSM, but pre-fest prep for Oasis is far more hectic since they have to interact with more departments. With the Student Welfare Department providing SMAC with ample resources, the pre-fest preparations have gone by with only a few minor hiccups. The only challenge Prabhsimran has faced is the lack of experience. ‘ This being my first Oasis. I found myself lacking knowledge and experience about what to do, but my seniors were of great assistance to me, so I’m very thankful to them.’
Addressing the BITSians attending the fest, Prabhsimran advises them to take care of themselves. ‘Fests are for fun, but still, it’s an individual’s responsibility during the fest, to avoid situations where you might hurt someone, or where you might get hurt yourself.’ Reassuring everyone that SMAC will always be there to help those that require it, he signs off by wishing everyone a safe and entertaining Oasis.