Emergency Preparedness Meeting Held in Balasore Ahead of Strategic Airspace Drill
Balasore, 09/05 (Krushna Kumar Mohanty):
A high-level preparedness meeting was convened at the District Collectorate Auditorium in Balasore to review emergency response mechanisms in the event of airspace intrusion. The session was chaired by District Collector Shri Suryabanshi Mayur Vikas and attended by representatives from various government departments, voluntary organizations, NGOs, media houses, and disaster response teams.
The meeting emphasized the importance of strategic coordination during emergencies and assessed the district’s capability to respond effectively. District Emergency Officer Shri Saikrishna Jena welcomed the guests, outlined the objectives of the drill, and facilitated the proceedings.
Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) Shri Hemanta Kumar Singh highlighted the critical aspects to be focused on during the mock drill, while Sub-Collector Shri Prathamesh Aravind Rajshirkhe elaborated on the administrative utility of such exercises. He stressed the importance of ensuring public safety, accurate dissemination of information, and inter-agency cooperation during any emergency scenario.
Representing the police administration, Additional SP Shri Niranjan Behera shared that, in accordance with directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, a mock drill was scheduled for 4:00 PM in urban areas to simulate response actions. He underlined the necessity of preparedness in handling anticipated situations efficiently.
The Fire Services Department presented an outline of pre- and post-incident management, including rescue, medical support, and rehabilitation efforts. They also discussed the collaborative roles of government and private stakeholders, as well as disaster response volunteers.
In his address, the District Collector called for proactive cooperation from all departments—governmental, non-governmental, and civil society—to ensure synchronized efforts in line with national directives. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and minimizing disruptions during potential crises.
To raise public awareness, the District Information and Public Relations Department deployed mobile public address systems across Balasore town. Sirens were sounded at 4:00 PM and again at 4:30 PM at ten locations to signal the beginning and end of the drill.
The mock drill was successfully conducted at ten distinct locations, demonstrating various emergency response strategies. The programme witnessed active participation from Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Sadar MLA Manas Kumar Dutta, Collector Shri Suryabanshi Mayur Vikas, SP Shri Rajprasad, Sub-Collector Shri Rajshirkhe, Deputy Collector Shri Sitanshu Sekhar Das, and senior officials from the administration, police, fire services, voluntary organizations, and disaster response units.
The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks by District Emergency Officer Shri Saikrishna Jena, acknowledging the collaborative spirit and commitment of all stakeholders involved.
