The aim of disaster response measures need to be aimed at rescuing those who are
affected or likely to be affected by hazards. This involves minimizing the impact of
injuries, loss of life and damage to property and the environment.
Activation of District Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
Disaster response measures include those that are aimed at limiting casualties,
alleviating hardship and suffering, restoring essential life support and community
systems, avoiding further damage and losses, and providing the foundations for
subsequent recovery.
When a disaster strikes, every minute counts for saving lives. Immediate,
coordinated and pre-planned response is essential. With a capacity to deal with
several simultaneous emergencies in different time zones, around-the-clock, the
EOC/ERC is a coordination hub facilitating a coherent response during emergencies
helping to cut unnecessary and expensive duplication of efforts.
It collects and analyses real-time information on disasters, monitors hazards,
prepares plans for the deployment of experts, teams and equipment in the District,
and works with the State to map available assets and coordinate the disaster
response efforts. Better planning and the preparation of a set of typical disaster
scenarios will further enhance the EOCs/ERCs capacity for rapid response.
Following measures should be taken during the Disasters:-
- Incident Support - The provision of resources and/or strategic guidance,
authorizations, and specific decision-making support. This support may be provided
to an Emergency Response Taskforces at a site or in limited circumstances, to
another EOC.
-
Essential Services and Continuity of Operations - Ensuring that essential
services are maintained, including where possible, in the areas impacted by the
emergency.
Under specific circumstances, the ECG may also exercise the following
functions:
- Area Command - The provision of incident management and oversight to multiple
incidents.
- Incident Command - The direct management of an incident response.
During disasters, EOC/ERC shall be activated. Emergency Operation
Taskforces shall be deployed to the disaster site/sites. All the taskforce leaders shall
take position in the District EOC in order to enable one-point coordination and
efficient decision making.
Activation of Emergency Operations Task Forces
The Incident Response System in the District is activated on warning or occurrence
of a disaster. Taskforces are activated according to pre-determined SOPs at 3.3.3.3
above, and as appropriate for the nature of the hazard or disaster. Activation can be:
- In anticipation of a District Level Disaster, or
- Occur in response to a specific event or problem in the District.
On activation, coordination of warning and response efforts will operate from
the District Control Room (DEOC).
Search and Rescue
The District Collector, in conjunction with local authorities will be responsible for the
search & rescue operations in an affected region. In doing so, the Collector will be
guided by relevant disaster management plans and will be supported by Government
Departments and local authorities.
Shelter Management
Disaster situations typically result in an immediate need for shelter and protection
against an Incident of any disaster. The concerned Government Departments and
local authorities would provide temporary shelter, health and sanitation services to rescued victims in order to prevent an outbreak of diseases. All the Disaster Management Centres in the District shall be used as shelter sheds in case of exigencies. The concerned authorities shall make all the necessary arrangements for
providing shelters to common masses and prepare a database of the sufferers with
full particulars.
DETAILS OF SHELTER HOMES
- Tehsil Kulgam: Govt. Degree College, Kulgam, Govt. HSS Girls, Govt. ITI Chowalgam.
- Tehsil DH Pora: Govt. Degree College DH Pora, Govt. HSS DH Pora, Govt. HSS Manzgam
- Tehsil DH Pora: Govt. Degree College DH Pora, Govt. HSS DH Pora, Govt. HSS Manzgam
- Tehsil Pahloo: BDO Office Pahloo, Govt. High School Pahloo
- Tehsil Yaripora: Govt. HSS Boys Yaripora
- Tehsil Frisal: Govt. HSS Frisal
- Tehsil Qaimoh: Govt. High School Chadder
have been identified as shelter homes in case of exigencies. Further, the heads of
above mentioned Colleges/Hr. Secondary’s/ High Schools shall act as Nodal Officers
for overall arrangements/facilities like Bathroom, Latrine, Drinking water, Relief items,
Blankets etc. Besides 108 Govt. school buildings have been nominated as rescue
centre’s.
Communication
The District Administration and local authorities would communicate to the larger
community the impact of the disaster and specific activities that are required to be
undertaken to minimize the impact. Some of these activities could include precise
communication of the impact of disaster and relief measures being taken and
generate goodwill among community and other stakeholders. It would also aim at
preventing panic reactions, while providing relevant information and handling welfare
enquiries. The communication channel will also act as a feedback mechanism on
relief measures and urgent needs of various agencies involved in emergency relief
measures and relief.
Preliminary Damage Assessment
Once a disaster strikes, the Government Departments and the local authorities shall
carry out a preliminary ‘need and loss assessment’ and the District Administration
shall mobilize resources accordingly. The members of the rapid impact assessment
will be officials drawn from various line departments facilitated by the Tehsildar of the
affected Tehsils. The rapid impact assessment report will be detrimental to take
decisions on the required rescue and relief operations. The preliminary report should
be made available within 24 hours of the calamity.
