Lack of preparedness and training results in inefficient handling of post-disaster operations, observed Inspector General of Police (Western Range) A M Prasad.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day training and workshop on disaster management, jointly convened by Centre for Disaster Management (CDM) in Yashwantrao Chawhan Academy of Development Administration (Yashada), Pune and Home Guards and Civil Defence at School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya here on Thursday.

Recalling his earlier experiences in tackling natural disasters, Mr Prasad said unless a plan of action is readily available, one cannot operate in crucial circumstances.

“Despite the magnitude of the destruction, the authorities’ response might be very poor if they are totally unprepared to face the situations. Fulfledged training becomes inevitable to the rescue personnel during their secondary response towards the calamity,” he noted. The entire administrative set up in the country did not have any serious thoughts into the very concept of disaster management until Tsunami attacked.

There was nothing to offer in line as part of the relief and rehabilitation of the affected members, Mr Prasad said.

The National Disaster Management Authority, the apex body to look into the issues of disaster management across the country, established three years back, shows the nation’s revived interest towards an inevitable concept, Mr Prasad added.

In her address, School of Social Work Principal Dr Jacintha D’Souza said being a part of the civil society each individual has the moral responsibility of coping with any of the disasters he comes across, for which he need not wait for the police or other concerned to take actions.

CDM Director Prof Amit Kumar delineated on the profile of the workshop modules.  He said components like disaster administration, roles and responsibilities, functioning of disaster management, media co-ordination and disaster management plan development would be discussed during the two-day workshop.

ATTENDANCE AND ATTITUDE

Making note of the poor attendance in the inaugural function of the workshop, IGP (Western Range) A M Prasad said the attendance indicates the significance the people have in their mind towards disaster management and preparedness towards facing crucial situations.

Sub-divisional DySPs, Commissioners of Town and City Corporations, District Health Officers, Regional Transport Officers, executive engineers of PWD and Mescom, tahsildars belonging to DK, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts were expected to take part in the programme. However, the total members present in the inaugural had not crossed 20.