STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR CONDUCTING MOCK EXERCISES

1.DM Act, 2005 mandates NDMA to coordinate the enforcement and implementation of its policy & guidelines.

2.  The Act also mandates NDMA to take such preventive measures for the prevention of disaster or the mitigation or preparedness and capacity building for dealing with a threatening disaster situation or disaster as it may consider necessary – Mock Exercise one such measure.

3.  NDMA Guidelines on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster reinforces MoEF guidelines, to conduct mock drills for ‘On Site Plan’ at least once every six months and ‘Off Site Plan’  at least  once every year.

4.  NDMA Guidelines give out the formats for ‘On Site’ and ‘Off Site’ plans as

5.  MoEF Rules for ‘On Site’ and ‘Off Site’ Emergency Plans – 2001.

NEED FOR MOCK DRILL 

1.To Inculcate  Culture of Preparedness.

2.To Examine the Plans and SOPs of Identified Stakeholders.

3.To Evaluate the Resource Status of various Departments.

4.To Coordinate the Activities of Various Agencies  for their optimum utilization.

5.To use the Feed back to identify the gaps and improve the Resource Capabilities to Face Actual Disasters

Step 1

1, Coordinating Conference

(a) Delineating objectives of Mock Exercise.

(b) Scope of Exercise.

(c) Selection of the District/industry for Mock Exercise.

(d) Date and Venue for Table Top and Mock Exercise.

(e) Participants

(f) Media Coverage.

Step 2

2.Table Top Exercise.

•Precursor to Mock Exercise.

•Scenarios are initially painted at Local Industry level and spill over as “off site” emergency where district admn comes to aid; sometimes help from State/neighbouring district/s may be sought.. Principal Secy DM, Collector/DC and Stakeholders at State and District levels like  Director Industry, SSP, District Health Officer, Fire Officer, Public Services heads, NDRF Team Leader, Communication, Civil Defence, Home Guard, Red Cross, RTO, NGOs, Public Relations etc respond. Subsequent situations are painted as realistically as possible.

•Details of Coordination and Safety are discussed.

•The Gaps are identified and Remedial Measures taken

3.Mock Exercise.   

• Observers are detailed, briefed and format for assessment issued.

• Self Assessment Formats are given to all stake holders.

• Scenarios are formulated after due deliberations and the Mock  Exercise is conducted by painting of scenarios in a sequential manner.

• Sequence of events and Administrative Arrangements are finalized with States & District Authorities beforehand.

• Actions are taken on ground by concerned stake holders on orders of their own departments.

• Incident Command Post is established at district level for command and control. The State may also operationalise EOC.

•Relief Camps are established for evacuees.

•Hospitals are earmarked for evacuation of casualties and Medical Aid Posts are established at critical areas

Dr. Amar Nath Giri
Environment


("Many Species: One Planet ,One Future)