Bhubaneswar: In a bid to scale new heights in disaster management, the state government has decided to enhance its disaster management capacity using state-of-the-art equipment, training and capacity building.
This was decided at the State Executive Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy here Wednesday.
Considering the intensity and frequency of natural disasters along with the need for preparedness to face industrial disasters, Tripathy directed the officials to strengthen the disaster fighting arms of the state with state-of-the-art equipment and innovative training. An additional amount of around `55.22 crore was sanctioned in the meeting taking total sanction of funds to `205 crore for the current financial year.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Kumar Jena said, “At present, the Odisha Fire Service is equipped to fight natural disasters in the state and extend helping hands to other states. The new training and modern equipment would further sharpen their teeth to deal with different types of
disasters.”
According to sources, `205.21 crore has been sanctioned for hi-tech equipment and capacity building activities during the current financial year. This includes procurement of high-tech collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) equipment and quick deponent antenna (QDA) for Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire service units and the instruments for disaster management training cell.
Tripathy emphasised on proper maintenance and upkeep of the equipment through regular institutional arrangements.