CBDP: Mock drill staged in city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Imagine this scary scenario. A leak occurs at a plastic factory in the city triggering fears of a major chemical disaster. If left unchecked, hundreds could die. With a major disaster in the making, the ‘District Collector’ seeks the help of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which airlifts its men to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, and from there to the ill-fated ‘factory.’ The NDRF unit at Arakkonam staged a ‘mock drill’ at Central Stadium here to sensitise the general public on the need for ‘Community- based disaster preparedness’ (CBDP). The demo was organised as part of the ongoing ‘Surakshayaanam-2012’ workshop and exhibition on disaster management organised by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. The NDRF, whose men are specially trained to tackle chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) disasters, demonstrated step-by-step how such mishaps are dealt with.Detection teams are sent in first to ascertain the nature of the disaster. Search and rescue operations are carried out and medical treatment offered to the rescued ‘factory’ workers. The NDRF also demonstrated the use of special equipment used to deal with CBRN emergencies. The NDRF unit at Arakkonam is one of ten NDRF battalions positioned in various parts of the country.