The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Kohima, organized a mock drill exercise on earthquake at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma on 18th July 2023.
During the exercise, Khrolou Koza Lohe, Assistant Manager of Training & Education at NSDMA, briefed the students of KSC about the significance of disaster preparedness, citing examples of the damages caused by the Bhuj Earthquake in 2001.
Lohe emphasized the importance of having a Disaster Management structure in place within schools and colleges, with the Principal as the Chairperson. She stressed the need for constituting a disaster management (DM) team, developing a disaster response plan that includes hazard identification, safety assessment, resource mapping (internal & external), formation of various DM teams, and an evacuation plan with designated Assembly Areas.
In her address, Lohe highlighted the roles of different teams within the Disaster Management structure, which include:
Disaster Awareness Team for Warning & Information Dissemination: Responsible for spreading awareness and providing vital information during emergencies.
Evacuation Team for Each Class: With teachers taking charge as leaders, these teams ensure the orderly evacuation of students during disasters.
Search & Rescue Team: Tasked with locating and rescuing individuals in need of assistance.
First Aid Team: Trained to provide immediate medical aid to the injured.
Fire Safety Team: Equipped to handle fire-related emergencies.
Bus Safety Team: Focused on ensuring the safety of students during transportation.
Lohe emphasized the significance of the mock drill exercise, stating that it serves as a valuable tool to test preparedness and improve the correct methods of conducting such drills. Sensitizing the masses to disaster management measures can significantly reduce the impact of disasters, even though it may not be possible to prevent hazards entirely.
The event was an important step towards building resilience within educational institutions and the community at large.
The same mock drill exercise will be held at Living Tree School, Tsiepugei, Kohima on 20th July 2023.
(Siizo Kikhi, IA Kohima)
