News & Announcement
NDMA Organises Orientation Coordination Video Conference to Enhance Disaster Preparedness
Pakyong, 3 September (IPR): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) organised an orientation coordination video conference today at the District Administrative Centre (DAC) in Pakyong.
The conference, chaired by Maj. Gen. Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), Consultant (ME & IRS) at NDMA, Government of India, aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response strategies through the Incident Response System (IRS) framework.
The virtual meeting was attended by Mr Agawane Rohan Ramesh, IAS, DC Pakyong; Mr Karma Gyamtso Bhutia, Sr. SP Pakyong; and Mr Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, ADC Pakyong, along with SDM Rangpo, Rongli and Pakyong, Nodal officers of various line departments, representatives of the Armed Forces, civil administration, civil defence, and NGOs.
The conference concentrated on key aspects of the Incident Response System (IRS), including tabletop exercises (TTEx) and mock exercises, which are critical in strengthening disaster preparedness and response strategies.
The NDMA has instructed district administrations to organise and implement both mock drills and tabletop exercises. These drills will replicate various disaster situations at significant infrastructure sites to ensure that preparedness levels remain high.
Maj. Gen. Sudhir Bahl delivered an in-depth presentation on the IRS module, emphasising the critical role of the Incident Response Team (IRT) in effectively managing disasters. He highlighted the importance of coordination among the planning, logistics, and operations sections within the IRS framework.
The presentation also covered the structured approach of the IRS, the functioning of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), and the responsibilities of task forces and IRT members. The preliminary actions expected from the State and District Disaster Management Authorities (SSDMA and DDMA) and advocated for the use of modern technologies, such as drones and satellite imagery, to assess and analyse disaster damage for a more planned and effective response were also highlighted.
Following the conference, DC Pakyong discussed preparations for the forthcoming state-level mock exercise on September 12, 2024. He urged all line departments to actively participate in the exercise, ensuring that each plays its role effectively.
He also mentioned that seven disaster scenarios will be simulated within Pakyong District, covering Rongli, Rangpo, and Pakyong sub-divisions.
He also stressed the importance of imparting individuals with Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and schools about the "duck, cover, and hold" technique.
Additionally, the location of relief camps and staging areas during the mock exercise was discussed. The main mock exercise is scheduled for September 12, is intended to educate stakeholders on preparedness and response mechanisms in the event of an earthquake.
The exercise aims to bolster the district’s capacity to respond to future disasters and to strengthen the operational readiness of the Incident Response Team.
The conference, chaired by Maj. Gen. Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), Consultant (ME & IRS) at NDMA, Government of India, aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response strategies through the Incident Response System (IRS) framework.
The virtual meeting was attended by Mr Agawane Rohan Ramesh, IAS, DC Pakyong; Mr Karma Gyamtso Bhutia, Sr. SP Pakyong; and Mr Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, ADC Pakyong, along with SDM Rangpo, Rongli and Pakyong, Nodal officers of various line departments, representatives of the Armed Forces, civil administration, civil defence, and NGOs.
The conference concentrated on key aspects of the Incident Response System (IRS), including tabletop exercises (TTEx) and mock exercises, which are critical in strengthening disaster preparedness and response strategies.
The NDMA has instructed district administrations to organise and implement both mock drills and tabletop exercises. These drills will replicate various disaster situations at significant infrastructure sites to ensure that preparedness levels remain high.
Maj. Gen. Sudhir Bahl delivered an in-depth presentation on the IRS module, emphasising the critical role of the Incident Response Team (IRT) in effectively managing disasters. He highlighted the importance of coordination among the planning, logistics, and operations sections within the IRS framework.
The presentation also covered the structured approach of the IRS, the functioning of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), and the responsibilities of task forces and IRT members. The preliminary actions expected from the State and District Disaster Management Authorities (SSDMA and DDMA) and advocated for the use of modern technologies, such as drones and satellite imagery, to assess and analyse disaster damage for a more planned and effective response were also highlighted.
Following the conference, DC Pakyong discussed preparations for the forthcoming state-level mock exercise on September 12, 2024. He urged all line departments to actively participate in the exercise, ensuring that each plays its role effectively.
He also mentioned that seven disaster scenarios will be simulated within Pakyong District, covering Rongli, Rangpo, and Pakyong sub-divisions.
He also stressed the importance of imparting individuals with Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and schools about the "duck, cover, and hold" technique.
Additionally, the location of relief camps and staging areas during the mock exercise was discussed. The main mock exercise is scheduled for September 12, is intended to educate stakeholders on preparedness and response mechanisms in the event of an earthquake.
The exercise aims to bolster the district’s capacity to respond to future disasters and to strengthen the operational readiness of the Incident Response Team.