Delhi Police signs MoU with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for training police

New Delhi, June 11

The Delhi Police and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have joined hands to evolve and impart comprehensive disaster management training at all levels of basic police training. 

Delhi CP Rakesh Asthana was the chief guest on this occasion. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by Special CP (Training) Satyendra Garg and DG, NDRF Atul Karwal at the Police Headquarters. 

The partnership aims to disseminate practical knowledge and procedures among police personnel and to make them aware about their role in the event of disaster through certificate course comprising of live demonstrations, lectures, workshops and group discussions to imbibe skills of disaster management. 

Speaking on the occasion, Delhi CP Rakesh Asthana underlined the need for a dedicated unit of Delhi Police for disaster management on the lines of State Disaster Response Force as building such a force for Delhi is a necessity. 

CP Asthana said, "During disasters, police is the first agency to respond and hence there is an urgent need to equip them with the logistical and technical know how of disaster management especially considering last month's horrific fire incident in Mundka and recent incident of rain and storm that saw high winds and uprooting of trees leading to traffic jams in various parts of cities".

He added, "There is a need for training of basic techniques of Disaster management for local police as well and this MoU is an excellent initiative in that direction". 

DG NDRF Atul Karwal said that signing of this MoU will be a great opportunity for NDRF and Delhi Police to work together on the front of Disaster Management and urged for more cooperative work between NDRF and local police so as to anticipate situations leading to disaster in advance and work on an action plan accordingly.

The specialized National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) force was constituted in 2006 "for the purpose of special response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster" under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.The Disaster Management Training Module designed by NDRF would provide inputs to officers of Delhi Police in dealing with critical & dynamic situations in management of manmade and natural disasters. 

Delhi Police has been on the forefront in many serious disasters in Delhi and rescued many lives by the efforts of its personnel. Now with this initiative Delhi Police will be now better equipped to respond and save lives in such situations.

DIG Training, NDRF and Director, DPA shall be designated Program Coordinators for this training and would act as points of contact between the two organizations. Classes for Disaster Management module will be held as per training schedule for basic training courses of DANIPS (Prob.), PSIs and refresher courses for field officers. Courses on Basic Concepts of Disaster Management, Disaster Preparedness, IRS, BLS, CPR, Rescue, CBRN & Earthquake Safety will be covered. 

A certificate in Disaster Management will be given to trainee officers after successful completion of module.