GUWAHATI, Dec 4 - An online Incidence Response System (IRS) Training and Table Top Exercise (TTEx) related to earthquake hazard in Assam was held today in the Chief Secretary�s conference hall and Assam State Disaster Management Authority�s (ASDMA) conference hall simultaneously, according to a press release.
The programme was organised by ASDMA in association with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all district disaster management authorities (DDMAs) of the State for mass awareness preparedness and response mechanism for earthquake hazard.
Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, member, NDMA in his opening remarks, laid emphasis on better coordination among the IRT team and all other stakeholders in the State and district levels in handling operations/response during any disaster.
Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah in his keynote address said that as Assam is exposed and vulnerable to various disasters from time to time, there is a need to find a solution to mitigate these disasters and create a strong communication base so that all concerned can respond smartly during any disaster in the near future.
Advisor (Ops & Comn) of NDMA Brig Ajay Gangwar said the table top exercise would help the State in keeping updated the Incident Response Team (IRT) at the State and district levels and respond accordingly during any disaster.
In his speech, MS Manivannan, Commissioner & Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, ASDMA said that Assam faces floods and earthquakes regularly and hence the IRT was notified in the State, where the Chief Secretary is the responsible officer in the State-level IRT and the respective deputy commissioners are the responsible officers in the district-level IRTs. He added that a State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) is in place for proactive response during any disaster.
Maj Gen VK Naik (retd), senior consultant, NDMA presented the Table Top Exercise Plan and flagged various issues for response regarding the response of IRTs in the State and district levels during any disaster.
YK Gautam, ADGP and Director, Fire & Emergency Services, gave a detailed presentation on preparedness of the State in the event of any disaster.
A host of other senior officials from different government departments, NDMA, NDRF, SDRF, Indian Air Force, CRPF, Indian Army, ASDMA and also all the deputy commissioners of 33 districts along with members and officials of DDMAs of the State attended the programme, the release added.
