State Disaster Response Force Gujarat
| SDRF Gujarat | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2016 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Gujarat |
| Headquarters | Gujarat Police HQ Gandhinagar |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Gujarat Police, Home Department, Govt of Gujarat |
State Disaster Response Force Gujarat or SDRF Gujarat is a Specialised Force of Gujarat Police formed in 2016 to respond to disasters and emergencies in the state.
Background
The SDRF Gujarat was formed in 2016[1] as part of the Disaster Management Act, which mandates the establishment of specialized forces to respond to disasters and emergencies in each state of India.
The SDRF Gujarat was established with the aim of having a trained and dedicated force that could respond effectively to various types of disasters and emergencies in the state. The force was created to address the gaps in the state's disaster management system, which were highlighted during emergency situations like Floods, Earthquakes etc.
Formation
The existing 11 flood relief State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) companies[2] have been trained to handle various kinds of other disasters on the line of NDRF and they are designated as State Disaster Response Force companies. They are deployed in affected areas during various kinds of disasters as per the requirement of Commissioner of Relief (COR) while during the rest of the year when there are no disaster situations they are deployed for Law & Order duties by the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Gujarat Police. The SDRF Gujarat currently has 11 Companies(Battalions) of approximately 1400[3] force personnel.
Command and Control
The SDRF Gujarat was established in 2006 and is under the command of Gujarat Police. The SDRF is a specially trained force that is responsible for rescue and relief operations during disasters and emergencies. The force is manned by personnel of Gujarat Police,[4] who have undergone specialized training in disaster management, including search and rescue, medical assistance, and disaster response operations.
In normal times when there is no disaster-like situation, the personnel are deployed for Law & Order related duties. During a disaster, the operational control over these companies can be given to the Commissioner of Relief, Revenue Department, Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, if the Government so decides.
Roles
The State Disaster Response Force Gujarat plays a critical role in responding to disasters and emergencies in the state. The SDRF is a specialized force that is responsible for rescue and relief operations during disasters and emergencies. The force is composed of personnel who have undergone specialized training in disaster management and response.
Here are the key roles and responsibilities of the State Disaster Response Force in Gujarat:
• Search and Rescue Operations: One of the primary roles of the SDRF Gujarat is to conduct search and rescue operations during disasters and emergencies. The force is trained to respond to various types of disasters, including floods, earthquakes, landslides, cyclones, and other natural calamities. The SDRF personnel use specialized equipment and techniques to search for and rescue people who may be trapped or injured during disasters.
• Medical Assistance: The SDRF Gujarat is also responsible for providing medical assistance during disasters and emergencies. All the personnel of SDRF Gujarat are trained as medical first responders, who can provide emergency medical care to those who are injured or in need of medical attention. The SDRF is equipped with medical equipment and supplies, including first aid kits and stretchers, to provide timely medical assistance.
• Public Awareness: The SDRF in Gujarat also plays a crucial role in creating public awareness and preparedness for disasters and emergencies. The force conducts training programs and awareness campaigns to educate the public on how to respond to disasters and emergencies. The SDRF also collaborates with other agencies to create disaster management plans and response strategies.
• Coordination and Collaboration: The SDRF in Gujarat works in close coordination with other agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, Indian Army and other emergency services. The force collaborates with these agencies to ensure coordinated and effective disaster management.
Selection & Training
Selection: All the personnel of SDRF Gujarat are selected from the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Gujarat Police.
Training: To tackle any kind of disasters in Gujarat, The SDRF Gujarat is trained for various disaster response techniques like Medical First Responder, Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue, Flood Rescue, Mountaineering Training etc. Most of the personnel are trained by National Disaster Response Force.
To ensure that the SDRF Gujarat is prepared to respond to emergencies, the force undergoes regular training and conducts mock exercises. The SDRF also works closely with other agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and other emergency services to ensure coordinated and effective disaster management.
Specialized Equipment and Vehicles
Specialized equipment and vehicles are made available to the State Disaster Response Force on the lines of National Disaster Response Force. A common pool of specialized equipment[5] has been created with a view to avoid duplication instead of providing them separately to each of the designated State Disaster Response Force companies.
Operations
Some of the major operations done by the SDRF Gujarat Team
• SDRF rescues people trapped in Meshwo river in Gujarat
On 16 August 2022, the State Disaster Response Force Gujarat carried out a heroic rescue operation to save people trapped in the Meshwo river[6] in Gujarat. The Meshwo river, which runs through the Amreli district of Gujarat, had swollen due to heavy rainfall, and many people found themselves stranded on the river banks or trapped in the middle of the river. The SDRF Gujarat team, equipped with rescue boats and other essential equipment, immediately began the rescue operation and rescued all those trapped. SDRF's rescue operation in the Meshwo river is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the force.
On 30 October 2022 a pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in the city of Morbi in Gujarat, India, collapsed, causing the deaths of at least 135 people and injuries to more than 180 others. The SDRF Gujarat team carried out a brave rescue operation in the aftermath of a tragic bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat.[7] The SDRF team's efforts were successful in rescuing several people.
See also
References
- ↑ https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/gujarat-to-form-state-disaster-response-force-116020201472_1.html
- ↑ http://gsdma.org/Content/creation-of-state-disaster-response-force-sdrf-4191
- ↑ http://gsdma.org/Content/rescue-team-details-4271
- ↑ https://spvadodara.gujarat.gov.in/Upload/Formation_of_Gujarat_State_Disaster_Response_force_SDRF_11-01-2015656.pdf
- ↑ http://gsdma.org/equipments/
- ↑ https://www.deccanherald.com/video/national/west/sdrf-team-rescues-people-trapped-in-meshwo-river-of-gujarats-aravalli-1136786.html
- ↑ https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/morbi-bridge-collapse-ndrf-teams-army-sdrf-coastal-guard-rescue-operations-2291308-2022-10-31
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