The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Agni' motorcycles steal the show at mock drill

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 01, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Agni' motorcycles steal the show at mock drill

Staff Reporter

Civil defence personnel observe Disaster Reduction Day

AWE INSPIRING: A mock rescue operation by Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services and Home Guards in Bangalore on Wednesday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Thrilling performances of fire fighting and disaster rescue mock drills by the civil defence personnel marked the observance of National Disaster Reduction Day here on Wednesday.

The Directorate of Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services and Home Guards exhibited before the public and Governor T.N. Chaturvedi that it was equipped to handle various natural and man-made disasters.

One of the drills included a bomb explosion in a busy market place in which the bomb went off even after search by the police personnel. While the rescue personnel immediately swung into action to contain the loss of life and property, those participating as public in the drill exhibited how public should react in such an eventuality.

Agni-1 and Agni-2, the new entrant motorcycles equipped for fire fighting to the Fire Force, stole the show with their superb manoeuvrability. Meant for congested city locations, "Agni" vehicles will be deployed in all district headquarters by the Directorate. Jeeps fitted with fire fighting extinguishers took part in the drill. While Agni series can carry 50 litres of extinguishers, jeeps can carry 200 litres.

Mr. Chaturvedi, who inaugurated the programme, stressed the need for active public cooperation with the forces in managing disasters. Equally important is the creation of awareness among the public as well as school children, he said.

He urged the Directorate to hold similar awareness programmes in every village and town throughout the State.

Director-General of Police (Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services and Home Guards) S. Mariswamy assured the public that the force is equipped to manage any kind of disaster.

Minister for Finance and Industries P.G.R. Sindhia flagged off an awareness rally organised to mark the event. Principal Secretary to Government (Home Department) Sudhakar Rao, Director-General and Inspector-General of Police B.S. Sial, Director-General of Police (Corps of Detectives) K.R. Srinivas and Director-General of Police and Managing Director of Karnataka Police Housing Corporation R. Srikumar were present.

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