State Disaster Response Force mooted

HYDERABAD: The vice-chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), M Shashidhar Reddy on Saturday called upon states to create a ‘State Disaster Response Force’ (SDRF) on the lines National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), for rescue and relief locally during natural or manmade disasters. The NDMA will provide all assistance for training and other issues, he said.Participating in a meeting on ‘Emergency Management Exercises- Towards Strengthening Urban Emergency Response’ at the Secretariat, Reddy said that the central government has decided to make NDRF a stand-alone force, which is not to be deployed for other duties like law and order, elections, VIP security etc. The NDRF will only deal with rescue and relief operations after natural or manmade disasters occur.He said that SDRF like the NDRF should also remain a dedicated stand alone force without being given other duties. Like NDRF, SDRF can be involved in community sensitisation, which will go a long way in preparing communities to deal with disasters. Concerted efforts in this direction will have a tremendous impact on community-based disaster preparedness, he added.WORKSHOP FROM JUNE 29The NDMA in association with various departments will organise a weeklong workshop in Hyderabad from June 29, on disaster management in urban areas. A number of support functions come together to create the emergency management system.There is an urgent need for emergency support modalities in urban areas to become robust enough to provide timely and adequate service and simultaneously gain voice and acceptance among the general public, he said.During the workshop, school children will be involved to create awareness on manmade, natural calamities and steps to mitigate the problems.The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management, commissioner, T Radha will be convener, while Muzaffar Ahmed, member NDMA will represent the Authority. Radha will hold series of meetings and coordinate with  stakeholders like educational institutions, fire services, GHMC, police, labour, factories, health and other departments, during the next few weeks to prepare reports regarding department requirements in dealing with disasters.Hyderabad is vulnerable to manmade disasters like fire, building collapse, chemical and biological accidents and existing inadequacies with regards to preparedness have to be addressed soon.Chief secretary Pankaj Dwivedi said that Hyderabad is not fully equipped in dealing with disasters. There are deficiencies which have to be overcome. A need for proper coordination among all the departments to deal with disasters exists. The system of hierarchy among various units has to go during emergency situations and the concerned parties should take responsibility in dealing with the situation. He further stressed that Hyderabad is very vulnerable to chemical disasters as there are several chemical industries in and around Hyderabad. The government will look into the issue of considering accidents cases under the Arogysri scheme.