APEX FORUM

 

Appendix C

POINTS FROM PARTICIPANTS

Shri B K Rai

  • Formulation of a national disaster policy. There should be groups comprising of representatives from defense, police, fire, local municipality and other non-Govt. and voluntary organizations.
  • Organizations at all levels must be fully prepared for disaster management with proper leadership.
  • All States and Central Government departments must have a disaster management cell.
  • The hierarchy of information must be broken at least in the case of disaster management.
  • Building laws must be suitably changed in disaster prone areas.
  • There should be legislation for dismantling unsafe structures.
  • Necessary software to be evolved to have a resource directory both for equipment and expertise.
  • Need for change in our attitudes. Every organization and at every level we must be fully prepared for disaster management.
Shri S M Agarwal
  • IETE to concentrate on technologies for disaster management.
  • Identification of equipment to deal with various disasters and cost estimates. Equipment should be strategically located, after proper survey.
  • Necessary authority must be delegated at all levels to deal with disasters.
Dr M A Shamshi
  • Necessary instrumentation needs to be developed for real time earthquake detection systems applicable before and after the calamity.
  • Optical seismic network where data can be processed at very high speed so that timely warning could be given to sensitive installations like airports, nuclear stations, power stations, hospitals etc. A national Seismic network of about 200 monitoring & reporting stations would be required for the purpose
  • Other systems like GPR, smell detectors, capability of photographing under debris, can play an important role in the management and mitigation of disasters.
  • CSIO is working on Fibre optic audio/video detection system during snow burials.
  • Rescue operations with robots, thermal imagery, GPR, smell detectors and sensors.
Shri S Suri
  • Importance of Amateur HAM Radio Operators to be recognized so as to utilize their services instantly for disaster information dissemination. HAMS should be supported both administratively and financially when they reach the disaster sites.
  • The importance of amateur radio in the field of disaster management.
  • All citizens must be trained in the operation of receivers/ transmitter sets so that their services could be instantly utilized in transmitting and receiving information connected with the disasters.
  • If required latest technology Should be brought into the Country for amateur radio use, so that the same can be used during disaster
Ms M Kousalya
  • Maintenance of database on disaster management.
  • Implementation of code of seismic constructions.
Air Vice Marshall R K Batha
  • IAF has the flexibility & speed to deploy and redeploy resources both men & material and therefore, there is no need to centralize them.
  • Compatibility of relief equipment with transportation resources of IAF should be a consideration.
  • Need for a dedicated satellite network for disaster management.

Gp Capt N K Upadhyay,YSM,VSM

  • Sensors must not only be ground based but should be for airborne operation also. This would cover wider area and provide online information about remote areas.
  • Creation of technology inventory.
  • Inventory of experienced and skilled human resource
  • Availability of satellite based networks
  • Sensor must not only be ground based but should be compatible for air borne operations.
  • Compatibility of relief equipment with transportation resources. While procuring hardware, its air transportability should be considered. This can be part of the QR.
  • Core competence of all agencies must be utilized.
  • All resources may not be concentrated at one place.
Shri K V Venkatachary, ISRO
  • Detailed information on locations of sensitive installations like hospitals, airports is not readily available anywhere in the country. Geographical mapping and maintaining a digital database for this purpose is essential.
  • Mapping of damaged area and close contour maps for advance warning of cyclones.
  • All State Governments to have control rooms.

Lt Gen A K Agarwal, PVSM (Retd)

  • Guard against information denial. Hacking of critical sites and disabling of nodes may bring vital national network to a grinding halt.
  • Steps to avoid and avert information freeze which can be disastrous for any country.
  • Foolproof smart networks are necessary to tackle such situations.