Kerala - Kochi   

Training to combat disasters

KOCHI: Arrangements are underway for the mock chemical disaster to be staged later this month in the city to educate the public on how to face such a real-time situation and to ensure panic-free response in its eventuality. Lecture demonstrations were held ahead of the mock disaster to be carried out near TCC, HIL and FACT, a release said.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish inaugurated the training programme held at Kalamassery Productivity Council Hall on Monday. B.K. Khanna of National Disaster Management Authority and Rakesh Dubey, Director, Bhopal Disaster Management Institute, led the training.

The National Disaster Management Authority is making arrangements for the mock chemical disaster, considering studies which showed Ernakulam district as vulnerable to chemical disasters.

A committee with Collector as the district emergency controller would be in the forefront to fight the disaster. Additional District Magistrate and City Police Commissioner are among the emergency coordinators.

Training included steps to be undertaken in the event of a chemical disaster, ways to eliminate spread of panic, rescue activities, functioning of rescue centres, health service, measures to be taken by police to equip the officials and the company concerned to face a disaster outbreak in any chemical factory.

Out of the 30 major hazardous companies, 20 are in Kochi. Disaster management projects are in place in all the three companies selected for staging the mock chemical disaster.

Commissioner Manoj Abraham presented the police’s plan of action. K. Sasi, Director Factories and Boilers, presented the State-level project. District Medical Officer K.T. Remani explained the health project to be followed in such an eventuality.

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