ABSTRACT INDIA ON PATH TO DISASTER RESIL (1)
ABSTRACT
INDIA ON PATH TO DISASTER RESILIENCE THROUGH MOCK
EXERCISES
By
Dr BK Khanna*
The community is the first responder in any disaster and if the
community knows how to react in a given situation and is provided
specific training and equipment, they can ensure in not letting a hazard
turn into a disaster. It is, however, a challenge, to build their capacity.
Similarly there are usually gaps in preparedness and response among
the first responders, especially in third world countries. To check the
state of preparedness and build capacity of the community and first
responders, NDMA (India) took the initiative of conducting mock
exercises. The job of evolving a module was entrusted to the author.
The module, which he indigenized, after perusing the good practices in
developed & other countries and after interacting with the numerous
stake-holders and with the community at large, is now being followed
across India. It involves conduct in four steps, namely, orientation
conference, table top exercise, mock exercise and documentation. Over
500 mock exercises have been successfully conducted. The paper will
discuss the module and lessons learnt from the exercises, which can be
replicated in developing and under developed countries.
The author is Senior Specialist (Training & Capacity Development) in National Disaster
Management Authority, Govt of India.
INDIA ON PATH TO DISASTER RESILIENCE THROUGH MOCK
EXERCISES
By
Dr BK Khanna*
The community is the first responder in any disaster and if the
community knows how to react in a given situation and is provided
specific training and equipment, they can ensure in not letting a hazard
turn into a disaster. It is, however, a challenge, to build their capacity.
Similarly there are usually gaps in preparedness and response among
the first responders, especially in third world countries. To check the
state of preparedness and build capacity of the community and first
responders, NDMA (India) took the initiative of conducting mock
exercises. The job of evolving a module was entrusted to the author.
The module, which he indigenized, after perusing the good practices in
developed & other countries and after interacting with the numerous
stake-holders and with the community at large, is now being followed
across India. It involves conduct in four steps, namely, orientation
conference, table top exercise, mock exercise and documentation. Over
500 mock exercises have been successfully conducted. The paper will
discuss the module and lessons learnt from the exercises, which can be
replicated in developing and under developed countries.
The author is Senior Specialist (Training & Capacity Development) in National Disaster
Management Authority, Govt of India.