Brain Booster for UPSC & State PCS Examination (Topic: Odisha State Disaster Management Authority)

Why in Broadcast?

The triple train accident in Balasore, once again highlighted the need of effective disaster relief force. Odisha State Disaster Management Authority has proved itself on many occasions.

Responsibilities

Promote an integrated and coordinated system of disaster management including prevention and mitigation of disaster by the State, local authorities, other stakeholders and communities.
Coordinate and monitor activities relating to prevention and mitigation of disasters, including capacity building.
Act as a repository of information concerning disasters and disaster management.
Prepare and update the policies and plans for disaster management in the State.
Promote awareness and preparedness, advise and train the community and stakeholders with a view to increasing capacity of the community and stakeholders to deal with potential disasters.

Disaster

Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources. Disasters can be caused by natural, manmade and technological hazards, as well as various factors that influence the exposure and vulnerability of a community.

Types of Disaster

Earthquakes
Volcanic Eruptions
Landslides
Tsunamis
Avalanches
Floods
Heat Waves
Cold Waves
Wildfires
Droughts
Cyclones
Radiological Emergencies
Hazardous Material
Chemical Threat & Biological Weapons
Explosion
Accident

Requirements of Effective Disaster Response

Saving and protecting human life.
Relieving suffering.
Containing the emergency – limiting its escalation or spread and mitigating its impacts.
Providing the public with warnings, advice and information.
Protecting the health and safety of responding personnel.
Safeguarding the environment.
As far as reasonably practicable, protecting property.
Maintaining or restoring critical activities.
Maintaining normal services at an appropriate level.
Promoting and facilitating self-help in affected communities.

Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force

In the post-super cyclone reconstruction and preparedness phase in the late 1999, it was felt necessary to constitute a professionally trained group equipped with state of the art emergency equipment to assist the civil administration in search and rescue operation and relief for effective management of disasters in the event of natural as well as human induced disasters.

Development of Skill Matrix

The disaster response activities are divided into the following groups of equipment depending on their possible application in different disaster situations: