In 2011, India's National Disaster Response Force helped recover dead bodies from the radioactive material released by the meltdown of three reactors at Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan resulting in emissions and explosions. The NDRF's expertise in handling chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological disasters during the triple disaster in Japan (triggered by the earthquake in Tohoku that led to another devastating Tsunami followed by the meltdown) was globally recognised.
But nearly a decade later, India's disaster ecosystem still shows gaps and deficiencies as it battles the biggest biological disaster, COVID-19.
Speaking to THE WEEK, S.N. Pradhan, Director General, National Disaster Response Force, said though the country has come a long way since 2005 when the National Disaster Management Act came into force, disaster preparedness across states continues to be plagued by lack of motivation, incentivisation, training and capacity building. Jharkhand and some northeastern states do not have State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) while others like Kerala have shared manpower. “In some states the SDRFs exist only on paper and in others they are operating on borrowed manpower from state armed forces, police and civil defence. It is like a motley crew,'' he said.
Excerpts from an interview:
What is the role of NDRF in COVID-19 crisis?
NDRF was the first respondent when the first flight from Wuhan with coronavirus suspects landed in New Delhi. When the country was not aware of how to handle the COVID-19 patients, NDRF trained the first batch of immigration officials, CISF and subsequently central government and state government forces in handling those affected by the biological disaster. From basic training on how to wear the equipment (shoe covers, mask, gloves, head gears, top and bottoms) and discard it, and handling luggage to social distancing practices, the NDRF personnel provided training to central and state forces. Today, nearly 28,000 NDRF personnel are deployed at various airports, sea ports and landports. We have deployed our personnel in more than 20 state control rooms, helping them handle COVID-19 patients. We are already part of the home ministry's control room. Being a specialised force, we are equipped to provide a specialised response to chemical, biological, nuclear and radiologicial disasters. NDRF is globally recognised as a unique force whose personnel are multi-skilled in handling all CBRN threats.
How do you see the country's preparedness in dealing with biological disasters like COVID-19?
The scale of the present disaster is such that it has to be a collaborative effort even though disaster response is a state subject. In the COVID-19 crisis, the frontline of defence is the health and medical professionals who are dealing with infected cases directly. We are third in the response mechanism collaborating with central forces like coastguard, CISF and helping state governments.
What is the strength of the NDRF ?
The NDRF has 12 battalions (13,200 personnel) and 50 sub battalions which are divided into six teams. In the context of COVID-19, we have already prepared 84 teams and in each team there are 5-7 personnel with personal protective equipment and they are trained as paramedics. They have also undergone medical first responder training and pre-hospital training.
Have state governments sought the help of NDRF?
I have written to all chief ministers saying that the NDRF is in a state of preparedness. We have ensured all safety protocols and our commandants have been authorised to respond to the demands of the state governments. States like Bihar and Tamil Nadu have already roped in the NDRF services directly after cases came up in Munger in Bihar and concerns of infection among passengers at the railway station in Chennai.
Have all states created State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs)?
There has been an inconsistent approach towards raising SDRFs. In spite of the government of India requesting state governments to create their own SDRFs and equip them with appropriate gear and provide training, very few states have followed it up. States like Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Assam have created state disaster response forces. The Odisha and Rajasthan models are good and must be emulated by other states. However, many states have disaster response mechanisms only on paper. Jharkhand and some northeast states don't have SDRFs while Kerala has SDRF manpower borrowed from its Fire Services department. So while some states have SDRFs on paper, others are still operating on borrowed manpower from state armed forces, police and civil defence. It is like a motley crew.
What is the way forward?
It is for the first time that the entire NDRF has been deployed for handling one single disaster. Normally, the NDRF goes into flood rescue, earthquake or cyclone disaster management which is limited to one or more states but does not involve the entire country. So, today the challenge is to be prepared not only to meet COVID-19 crisis but also to face any other kind of disaster when it comes. Some teams of the NDRF are permanently stationed in vulnerable locations for other disaster management challenges.
How is the NDRF ensuring its personnel are safe?
We are strictly following all safety protocols. Anyone who is on duty is being tested. The personnel are undergoing special cleaning and disinfectant exercises. We have also created barracks in the battalions to quarantine any personnel who are infected.
