Meeting on disaster preparedness held in Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar: A meeting on disaster preparedness was organized by the state revenue department in Gandhinagar, attended by various department officials on Friday. Quoting additional chief secretary (revenue) Jayanti Ravi, the statement noted that disaster management now spans prevention, awareness, and comprehensive planning, moving beyond mere relief and rehabilitation.National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) secretary Manish Bhardwaj emphasized the vital role of community volunteers, identifying local citizens as first responders. He advocated for widespread citizen training in CPR and first aid to save lives during the "golden hour."Furthermore, Bhardwaj stressed that fire brigade response times must be under five minutes to minimize damage. He also highlighted the need for forest departments to adopt modern technology, such as satellite monitoring and advanced equipment, to prevent and tackle forest fires effectively. This proactive approach aims to strengthen the state's resilience against both natural and man-made calamities through technological integration and grassroots participation.