The second day of a two-day training programme on Disaster Management and Fire Safety was conducted on February 27, 2026, at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur, with participation from officials and staff of the Information & Public Relations (IPR) Department.
The session featured technical presentations on “Role of Media in Disaster Management” and “Basic Fire Safety & Relevant Section of the Nagaland Fire & Emergency Service Act, 2021.” The topics were delivered by Assistant Manager, Media & Public Relations, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), GoN, Keren Rose, and Fire Prevention & Audit Officer (FPAO), Fire & Emergency Services, GoN, Kenny Khing. Along with the resource persons, officials from F&ES and Dy. SP, Zhasalie Naprautsu and IPR Officials attended the programme.
During the session, resource persons highlighted IPR officials & staff to clearly understand the media’s responsibility in safeguarding information integrity and supporting disaster response efforts and elaborated on media strategies during disasters. Participants were encouraged to build trusted relationships with media houses before disasters strike to ensure coordinated communication. The importance of providing clear, jargon-free, and timely updates was stressed, particularly in addressing issues such as misinformation, counterfeit goods, and supply chain disruptions during emergencies. Collaboration with media to counter misinformation and protect intellectual property was also underscored.
A detailed session on the responsibilities of IPR officials during disasters outlined key areas including public information and early warning dissemination, media coordination, risk communication and public awareness, information management and official communication, social media and digital outreach, community engagement, documentation and post-disaster reporting, coordination with disaster management authorities, and addressing public feedback and grievances.
Speakers noted that effective communication through credible media platforms can significantly reduce panic, ensure public cooperation, and contribute to efficient disaster management. Also, elaborated on fire prevention strategies, essential safety protocols, and key legal provisions under the Nagaland Fire & Emergency Service Act, 2021 and a hands-on demonstration on fire safety was conducted during the programme, providing participants with practical training on the use of fire extinguishers and basic emergency response techniques.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of IPR officials in effectively managing communication and safety aspects during emergencies and disaster situations. The training concluded with an interactive session and best practices for strengthening communication mechanisms during disasters.
(Tovikali, IA Dimapur)
