GUWAHATI, Aug 17 - The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) today carried out a disaster preparedness event �Great Assam School Shake-out Programme� covering 100 schools in each of the 33 districts of the State. The programme involved the District Disaster Management Authorities, NDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, SDRF, Civil Defence, inspectors of schools and district elementary education offices, school safety advisory committees, CRCC, headmasters, school focal point teachers, volunteers/apada mitra volunteers and students.
The programme was organised to commemorate the 1950 Great Assam Earthquake, one of the high intensity earthquakes that caused massive damage to life and property.
The programme began at 11 am with an evacuation drill by the students. Such drills are required to evacuate the people from premises etc., in the event of exigencies like fire or earthquake.
The drills carried out in 3,300 schools of all the 33 districts of the State, were followed by exhibitions displaying equipment and emergency preparedness measures jointly organised by the agencies concerned.
In Guwahati city the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kamrup (Metro) conducted the Great Assam School Shake-out Programme in 100 schools.
As part of the mock drill programme an exhibition cum demonstration on earthquake and fire safety was held centrally at the TC Govt Girls� Higher Secondary School by the Fire and Emergency Service, SDRF and NDRF.
In the exhibition, students and teachers were sensitised on use of different equipment, Do�s and Don�ts on disaster, basic safety techniques during disaster, etc. The school students actively participated in the drill as well as demo and exhibition. The entire exercise was done to inculcate the habit of safety in the students so that the schools are prepared to tackle any disaster, the statement added.
The education department, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, NDRF and Civil Defence personnel also took part in the mock drill.
