Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 11 March 2025
In line with the directive of the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, mandating quarterly mock drills across all departments, the Directorate of Disaster Management conducted a Fire Safety Drill at the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T) on Monday. The exercise aimed to enhance preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a fire emergency.
Officers and staff of IP&T actively participated in the drill, coordinating with various resource departments to manage the simulated fire scenario. The exercise commenced at 11 a.m. with the activation of a fire alarm, signalling the immediate evacuation of the building. Employees assembled at the designated safe zone in the IP&T parking lot, where a headcount was conducted to identify any missing individuals.
The Incident Commander promptly directed the communication team to alert resource departments while initiating search and rescue operations. Fire extinguishers within the department were deployed to contain the simulated fire before external assistance arrived.
Upon receiving the alert, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) and District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) informed the District Administration, Police, Fire Department, Health Services, and Electricity Department, which swiftly deployed their teams to assist in the drill. The coordinated effort ensured a systematic approach to fire safety management.
The drill concluded at 11:40 a.m., followed by a debriefing session where officials and observers shared their insights. Resource department representatives emphasised the importance of routine fire extinguisher checks and recommended regular training on fire safety, first aid, and search and rescue to further strengthen disaster preparedness.
The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration towards ensuring safety and readiness in case of emergencies.