NSDMA to conduct state-wide mega mock drill on emergency preparedness on April 26
KOHIMA, APRIL 12 (MExN): Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) – Home Department will be conducting a state wide mega mock drill of Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercises (NEPEx) on April 26 to test the capability of the government to respond to and manage disaster. The drill will be conducted in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
In anticipation to this drill, the NSDMA held a day-long review meeting on Nagaland Emergency Preparedness Exercise (NEPEx) at ATI on April 12, 2018. The program was organized by Home department in collaboration with NDMA Government of India.
While delivering the keynote address, Home Commissioner, Abhishek Singh, IAS said that whenever there is a form of disaster, for example an earthquake, that occurs in any part of the country, it is not the disaster alone that causes loss of life and property but the prime reason is because of how unprepared the people are and also because of how poorly the buildings are constructed.
Nagaland being under zone V of earthquake prone areas, the state needs to be prepared. For example, in Kohima due to the rampant expansion in the district it is difficult for the rescue teams to reach the victims. Therefore, the only way to prevent and reduce the loss of life and property is to conduct mock drills and impart basic awareness to everyone, Singh said. He further added that to ensure the objectives of the exercise are carried out; the best possible medium is through the media.
The Home Commissioner also said disaster management should not be confined to the departments and offices alone- it must be available on websites and it should be in an easily accessible form for everyone. Short videos on prevention of earthquakes, fire, flood etc should be created and shared on social media platforms like YouTube and WhatsApp. The NDMA with the support of the Nagaland government and the media can work together in reaching the citizens; Singh suggested and hoped that the mock drill will be a success in preventing future disasters.
Joint Advisor (Ops) NDMA, Dhirendra Singh Sindhu in his opening remark said that the main objective of the mega mock exercise is to test the adequacy and efficacy of the Emergency Response Plans of the State and District against Disasters. He also highlighted the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders at the State and District level as per IRS.
He added that the exercise is to enhance coordination and synergize efforts of various Emergency Support Functions of the State and District and to find gaps in the resources, manpower, equipment, communication and systems.
Also on the scope of the mock exercise he said it will be restricted to planning and response at the State and District level with additional assistance from central government resources.
He also informed that a multi-state mock drill exercise on earthquake disaster will be held simultaneously in all districts of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram involving all stakeholders. He stated that the state level mock exercise will be staged on the scenario of Shillong Earthquake of 1897.
DGP Nagaland Rupin Sharma, IPS also highlighted the roles of different section of Incident Response System (IRS). Dr. Hovital Sothu, Deputy Director ATI gave an insight on the structure of Incident Response System (IRS). OSD NSDMA, Johnny Ruangmei highlighted on the review of NEPEx 2017. The discussion and demobilization was moderated by Khrolou Lohe, STCBO NSADMA. The program was chaired by Dy. Commandant, General Home Guards & Civil Defence Nagaland, Medozhalie Pienyu.
