GUWAHATI, March 26 - In order to create awareness among the masses about emergency response, search and rescue in the wake of any disaster, State-level joint mock drills on earthquake disaster were organised at Central Mall and Hayat Hospital here today. District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kamrup (M) district, NDRF, SDRF, Civil Defence and Homeguard along with other stakeholders participated in the joint mock drills.
The drill at Central Mall was organised to ensure effective response by all stakeholders in case of an emergency. First Battalion of NDRF took active part and assisted in planning and coordination at the initial stage and played a leading role during the mock drill. During the exercise, NDRF rescuers used various extrication methods like rope rescue, high-rise rescue and victim stabilisation following the disaster site safety plan.
On the occasion SK Sastri, Commandant 1st Bn NDRF said, �These exercises ensure prompt response of all stakeholders in a district during any disaster. Such frequent mock drills also make the district response system more effective and result-oriented at the time of actual disaster. Mock drills provide suitable platform and sustainable mechanism for State and Central authorities for synchronisation and rapid employment of rescuers at district or State level. These exercises should be frequently conducted in every district, as the entire NE region falls under high risk zone in terms of earthquake.�
At Hayat Hospital also the NDRF team commander explained the importance of mock drills to the gathering of hospital staff, medical staff and several attendants. He laid emphasis on keeping calm and moving to a safe place during any disaster.
The unaffected people should also attempt to help save others� lives, he said. In the mock drill conducted in association with the internal disaster management team of Hayat Hospital, training was conducted on scientific methods of emergency response, search and rescue of the injured, and providing first aid.
Parag Jyoti Dutta, general manager (Operations) of the hospital said that the internal disaster response team is capable of responding to any emergency within the hospital and also to any fire, flood and earthquake disaster within the city in collaboration with NDRF. Approximately 1,500 persons from district authorities, volunteers, NGOs and local public were involved in the joint mock drills.
