'Team work is essence of disaster management'

Industries should have necessary fire fighting equipmnet: Nitte VC

Inaugurating the seminar on ‘emergency medical management in industrial disaster’ organised by Department of Factories and Boilers and Mangalore Chemical and Fertilisers on Tuesday, Dr Shetty said that chemical leaks, nuclear leaks, fire mishaps, building collapse, industrial accidents are some of the major industrial disasters.
From the pages of history there have been startling examples for each of these disasters and hence in case of disaster ‘prevention is better than cure’, he opined and added that never await disaster but prevent it from happening.
Citing examples like Bhopal gas tragedy, he said that industries should have necessary fire alarm and fire fighting equipment in place to avert such accidents, which can be avoided.  

He said that another important thing needed in every set up to handle disaster is a leader who instructs and directs people what to do and how to do it.
“In case of 26/11, supposedly tackling situation became difficult because there was no leader and hence everyone was behaving like a leader. There should be a group of people to instruct the people on the strategy and plan of action,” he said.
Dr Shetty opined that in a place like Mangalore high rise buildings are everywhere and the license is being issued to these buildings without ascertaining whether the fire norms are fulfiled by the building or not.

“Every high rise building should be inspected before giving the license and inspection to ascertain and ensure safety of the building in case of disaster must be held at regular intervals,” Dr Shetty said.
He said that every industry must set up 24 hour emergency response system, transportation system (ambulance etc), GPS tracking and public addressal system.
NITK Dean (Academics) Dr Sriniketan presided over the programme Joint Director of Factories A R Vijayendra, Disaster Crisis Group Member Dr Ambareesh and others were present.