GUWAHATI, Sept 7 - A joint mock drill was conducted today by 1st Bn NDRF and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) at IOC Betkuchi on CBRN emergency and to ensure effective response of the fire brigade and employees working at the IOC.
1st Bn NDRF also assisted the plant employees in planning and coordination at the initial stage. Two officers, six subordinate officers and 34 rescuers of NDRF participated in the mock exercise with all required response tools and equipment.
During the mock drill, effective methodology and response drills were rehearsed and practised to ensure an effective, speedy and safe operation with very limited equipment.
On the occasion, the Commandant 1st NDRF, Guwahati said in a statement, �Mock industrial disaster response and mitigation exercises generate mass awareness in all sections of the society. This kind of mock drills also develops better coordination, which is essential to respond to actual disaster situations and moreover, disaster response is not only the task of specialised groups � community groups, youths, working personnel, NGOs, various authorities and civil administration also play an instrumental role for effective and accountable disaster management. The community should be aware of the hazardous installations and knowhow to combat the situation. The local community has to be informed about the response steps to be taken in case of an accident and community members should monitor the pollution levels of the industry and participate in mock drills for evacuation.�
The exercise concluded in the evening with a note to organise more such mock drills in future so that effective response operations during industrial disasters could be carried out to save precious human lives.
