The awareness programme is being held in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), New Delhi. It had been noted that ICS has to be an integral part in all the disaster management plans, a note from the department stated. Member of NDMA New Delhi, J K Sinha, is slated to grace the inaugural function.
Informing this in a release, T C Sangtam, Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, further requested that the mentioned departments nominate competent officers as indicated against their department for attending the training, and also to ensure that the nominated officers participate in the programme without fail. The names of the officers nominated are to be sent to the ATI Kohima on or before February 15, 2009, for making necessary arrangements.
Two (2) officers each from the departments of Home, Information & Public Relation, Home Guard & Civil Defence, DIG, Fire Services, Health & Family Welfare, Civil Supply, Dimapur; two (2) officers each from the office of the Transport Commissioner and from the offices of the Chief Engineer of PWD Housing, Roads & Bridges, PHE, Power, and Mechanical; three (3) officers from the Director General of Police (PHQ); and five (5) BDOs from the office of the Director, Rural Development, are expected to be nominated. The Deputy Commissioners of the respective 11 districts are to nominate their Nodal Officer.
The concept of ICS was introduced by the U.S. and the system is being effectively used in managing any incident of disasters or major events, the note added.
Having proved very successful, India also adopted the system. Since disaster management involves a lot of departments with their manpower and resources, it becomes necessary to have a proper coordination amongst the departments involved in disaster response.
Managing the available resources adequately also becomes a problem in case of large scale disasters or events.
Hence, all the stakeholder Departments should be equipped with the knowledge of Incident Command System. ICS will facilitate better disaster management planning at the state, district and departmental level, the note added.