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Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
National mock drill on quake, chemical hazards to be held in Gzb, GB Nagar on Aug 1
Noida: Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar have been selected from Uttar Pradesh to participate in a national-level mock drill simulating earthquake and chemical disaster scenarios on August 1. Part of the "Suraksha Chakra" initiative, the exercise is aimed at stress-testing emergency preparedness and response mechanisms across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. The mock drill is being organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the Headquarters Western Command of the Indian Army, Headquarters Delhi Area, and the State Disaster Management Authorities of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. It will be preceded by a four-day Integrated Disaster Management Symposium and several preparatory events across the National Capital Region from July 29 to August 1. According to Omkar Chaturvedi, district disaster expert for Gautam Buddha Nagar, the Government of India has mandated rehearsals at a minimum of five sites in each participating district prior to the August 1 drill. ADM-level officers have been appointed as nodal officers, with Chaturvedi serving as assistant nodal officer for Gautam Buddha Nagar. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida In Gautam Buddha Nagar, six locations have been selected for the mock exercise, Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, Savitri Bai Phule Girls Inter College in Dadri, Vikas Bhawan, LG Electronics India Ltd., AWHO Township in Gurjinder Vihar, and Gautam Buddha University, which will serve as the staging area. A preparatory meeting will be held on July 28 at 1 pm at the Collectorate Auditorium in Noida, where all departments are expected to present updates on progress and coordination. "The mock drill is not just a simulation but a stress test of our systems. Any negligence will directly reflect in how prepared we truly are," said Chaturvedi. In Ghaziabad, drills will be conducted at five sites: Ingraham Inter College, VVIP Addresses Society, HPCL Loni, District Joint Hospital, and the Modinagar Tehsil Bhawan. At a review meeting held in Ghaziabad on Saturday, Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri, vice president of the UP-State Disaster Management Authority, urged departments to approach the exercise as a real-time emergency. "There should be no panic during a disaster. The nodal officer must assess where help is needed the most and coordinate with locals, NGOs, and other support groups to mobilise manpower immediately," said Dimri. Emphasising the need for greater public awareness, he added, "When people are aware, they become part of the response mechanism, not a liability." Departments in both districts have been assigned specific roles. The NDRF and NCC will lead rescue operations; health teams will triage patients using colour-coded bands, and civic bodies will handle sanitation, drinking water supply, and debris clearance. Police, traffic, fire, and information departments will manage law and order, vehicular movement, safety, and documentation. Officials said the objective is to identify and address any gaps in the system now, before a real disaster strikes.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Gautam Budh Nagar: Volunteers to get disaster response training
Noida: To develop a community-led disaster resilience, a group of 100 volunteers from Gautam Budh Nagar will undergo a 12-day residential training that is designed to prepare interested youth into capable first responders in their local areas during any calamity or disaster. In total, 4,800 'Aapda Mitras' will be trained in two phases across 48 districts of the state. Each district has nominated 100 participants, officials said. (HT Photo) In total, 4,800 'Aapda Mitras' will be trained in two phases across 48 districts of the state. Each district has nominated 100 participants, officials said. At the Collectorate premises in Surajpur, Greater Noida, district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma on Wednesday flagged off the volunteers who will undergo training under the 'Aapda Mitra' scheme, a central government initiative launched by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to train community volunteers as first responders during natural and man-made disasters. 'Preparedness at the community level is the backbone of effective disaster response. The Aapda Mitra initiative empowers our youth to act swiftly and responsibly in times of crisis. I congratulate all the selected volunteers and hope they serve as inspiring role models in their communities,' the DM said. To be held in Lucknow from May 8 to 20, the training is part of a state-wide programme led by the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (UPSDMA), in accordance with standards laid out by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi. The volunteers include enthusiastic youth from the NCC (national cadets corps), Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD), and local community groups like Mangal Dal, all selected to act as first responders during natural or man-made disasters, officials added. The programme is being executed locally under the coordination of Omkar Chaturvedi, a district disaster management specialist, who said the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will provide hands-on training in essential emergency response skills, including swimming, rescue techniques, first aid, CPR (a life-saving emergency procedure), and more. 'The initiative aims to build a strong network of community-level responders who can immediately step in to help during any disaster. The training will equip them not only with life-saving skills but also with a sense of responsibility toward their communities. From life-saving techniques like CPR and first aid to rescue operations and swimming, the Aapda Mitras will be fully equipped to respond to emergencies in their local areas,' he added. All selected Aapda Mitras will receive a certificate and official identity card upon successful completion of the training, a government-issued Emergency Responder Kit, an insurance policy for safety during deployment, full arrangements for travel, lodging, meals, and training materials, all facilitated by SDRF Lucknow, officials said.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
UP urges residents to join disaster response force
Noida: District authorities invited residents to enroll as first responders under the state's Disaster Mitra programme . A 12-day residential training session, overseen by the UP State Disaster Relief Force , will begin on April 25 in Lucknow. The aim is to build a community-led disaster response force and enhance emergency preparedness "This programme is about empowering ordinary citizens to act quickly and effectively when disasters strike," said Omkar Chaturvedi, district disaster expert, GB Nagar. "We're building a network of trained people who can step up as first responders before official help arrives."The training will be conducted by the State Disaster Relief Force. tnn
