Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 18 June 2025
In line with the Chief Secretary’s directive to conduct quarterly mock drills across all departments, the Directorate of Disaster Management, A&N Administration, recently organized a comprehensive mock drill simulating an earthquake followed by a fire at the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Sri Vijaya Puram.
The drill aimed to evaluate real-time preparedness, inter-departmental coordination, and the effectiveness of emergency response mechanisms. It was conducted in coordination with the Fire & Emergency Services, Transport Department, and the District Administration.
As part of the exercise, once the mock alert of an earthquake and subsequent fire was issued, the AH&VS teams promptly activated their internal response systems. They informed the District Emergency Operation Centre (South Andaman), State Emergency Operation Centre, Fire Services, and Health Control Rooms. Staff members at AH&VS responded immediately, enacting evacuation and containment protocols.
Soon after, emergency teams from the Police, Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Health Department, APWD, and Disaster Management arrived at the site. They worked in tandem to manage the simulated crisis in a coordinated and efficient manner.
Following the conclusion of the drill, a debriefing session was held where observers shared their insights and identified gaps in the response. Officers from various resource departments were encouraged to regularly review their preparedness levels and conduct training sessions to equip their teams with essential safety skills for handling emergencies.
The drill underscored the importance of vigilance, coordination, and continuous training in ensuring a robust disaster response framework in the islands.
(Story Based on PR)