Today, Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah in the presence of Shri Nityanand Rai, Hon’ble Minister of State (Home) & other dignitaries inaugurated an “Annual Conference on Capacity Building of SDRFs with observer participants from Civil Defence (CD), Home Guards (HG) & Fire Services-2019” being organized by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi in the presence of various dignitaries of Central & State agencies. The conference aims to synergise the response of Central & State disaster response Forces. It also highlights the way ahead to strengthen the response capabilities of stakeholders like SDRFs, Civil Defence, Fire Services & Home Guards.
Inaugurating the conference, Hon’ble Home Minister applauded the NDRF for organizing this first of its kind conference in which all the major components of India’s Disaster Response Mechanism viz. NDRF, SDRF, Home Guards, Civil Defence & Fire Services are participating to discuss the various issues pertains to Disaster Response, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and mutual cooperation. Hon’ble Minister said that we have covered a long distance on disaster management but still have to cover a long journey to make India leader in disaster response. Hon’ble Minister said that the frequency of disasters are increasing by leaps & bounds due to global warming and also leading to forest fire, we all need to prepare for it. We started the work on Disaster Management in 2001, have done great progress since then and have shifted from relief centric approach to preparedness, mitigation, response & reconstruction.
He said NDRF has done a lot of good work over the year in the field of disaster management. NDRF should work towards collaborating with indigenous organization such as DRDO to upgrade in their equipment indigenously in next 5 years. He also reminded about the 10 point agenda of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji and urged to work on it. He emphasized that we should be well equipped and prepared to help the neighboring countries in case of disasters.
He also called the NDRF to work on resource profiling of States and Union Territories including resources with public & private sectors and also urged the stakeholders to work on chain of command for effective disaster response.
Minister of State, Sh. Nityanad Rai also addressed the gathering, applauded NDRF for its contribution in disaster response and disaster risk reduction. He said that it is time for development of New India & we all will have to specialize in the field of disaster management to become the best in the world.
DG, NDRF Sh. S.N Pradhan, welcomed the august gathering and emphasized the need of a comprehensive Road Map of Disaster Management for Next Five Years. Sh. Pradhan also highlighted the initiatives of NDRF for strengthening of SDRF/Civil Defence, Home Guards & fire Services. It is for the first time when all Civil Defence & Home Guards are also attending the conference alongwith SDRF’s.
Besides, fruitful discussions on themes like Road Map of Disaster Management Next Five Years, Operational Challenges in Disasters, Challenges in Activation of Resources and management in Pre-post Disaster Situations, Synergy among All Emergency Stake holders of DM and Composite Disasters- Involving Response of all Stakeholders in Emergencies were held. Imminent speakers from NDMA, IMD, NIDM and States shared their views on the themes.
The conference shall provide an opportunity to the stakeholders (SDRF/CD/HG & Fire Services) to share their best practices, rectify the shortcomings and work to improve the response capabilities. This conference shall also be utilized by the stake- holders for planning, organizing and preparing for monsoon seasons.
The conference is being attended by the Directors General of Police, Additional Directors General of Police and other senior officers of all States/UTs, Relief Commissioners and representatives from SDMA, SDRF, NDMA, INCOISIS, IMD, NIDM and other stack holders.
The conference shall continue tomorrow.
Issued By : PR Cell, NDRF HQ, New Delhi.
