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An NDRF member demonstrates a high-rise rescue procedure during the earthquake-themed drills that were conducted on April 29 at Seikhazou in Kohima. (IPR)[/caption]
Dimapur, April 29 (EMN): An earthquake drill was conducted by personnel of the Kohima district disaster management authority, on April 29 at Seikhazou in Kohima.
The exercise was a collaborative programme that was conducted with members of the National disaster response force (NDRF) of Arunachal Pradesh and the State disaster management force (SDRF).
The government publicity agency, the department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) issued on Monday updates about the drills.
The NDRF and SDRF personnel demonstrated various evacuation procedures besides and response procedures and administration of casualties with first aid.
According to the IPR, the imagined scenario to conduct the earthquake exercise involved collapsed buildings and casualties. The two collapsed buildings were the Seikhazou government higher secondary school and the urban primary health centre at Seikhazou. The total number of casualties was 21 for the scenario, the IPR stated.
Out of the casualties, one was dead, and seven were seriously injured. The injured were shifted to the Naga Hospital Authority at Kohima; 13 were reported with minor injuries.
At the incident site, a common post for incident and team commander was stationed where all the stakeholders were assigned to engage evacuation exercises.
A medical post was also set up where the NDRF and medical officers treated the casualties with first aid.
The additional deputy commissioner of Kohima district Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, who was the designated incident commander, designated that the incident of the imagined scenario happened at 10:40 am, according to the IPR.
The personnel and responders reported promptly to the incident site along with their personnel, equipments and machineries for rescue operation.
After the incident, a de-briefing was held where the observers of the exercise, Deputy Commandant Pranab Daimari and Chief Medical Officer Abir Chowdhury from the Itanagar NDRF gave accounts from the exercise and that the drill was conducted promptly and successfully.
The officials suggested setting up a more effective communication system. They suggested that local stakeholders be the first responders, getting rescue equipment items, and having greater involvement of the military and police.
Further, they suggested setting up information centres near the staging area for emergency operations in the future.
Over and above all, they appreciated the Kohima district disaster management agency and SDRF team for their ‘good response time.’ They thanked the stakeholders for their participation too.
The deputy commissioner of Kohima district, Anoop Khinchi, said during the event that the exercise was a great learning opportunity for all the stakeholders.
The officer thanked the 12th battalion of the Itanagar NDRF for coming this far and enlightening the participants and emergency personnel with their inputs in the exercise.
Khinchi pointed out that proper communication plans, and training for the SDRF personnel besides personnel of the departments in concern needs to be taken care of. He suggested likewise for ‘hospital preparedness.’ These issues need to be addressed, he said.
The deputy commissioner thanked the participants and officials and all in concern for their prompt intervention and participation to make the drills a success.
