While the disastrous train crash resulted in so much loss of life, the situation could have been much worse had the emergency management professionals not prepared. The government of Odisha, India, put to use its disaster response capabilities during the train accident in Balasore. With a history of dealing with cyclones and extreme weather conditions, as well as its well-trained fighters and a network of 345 fire stations across the state, Odisha was well-prepared to handle various types of emergencies.
The fire and service department received the initial distress call by 7 PM and quickly dispatched two units to the site. Recognizing the magnitude of the disaster, more teams were mobilized, ultimately involving five ODRAF teams and 24 fire department teams, comprising a total of 370 personnel.
The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and the fire services team promptly addressed the nighttime visibility issue by setting up 53 light towers at the accident site. Also, they utilized advanced plasma gas cutters to rescue passengers trapped inside the train compartments.
By the time the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) arrived, the Odisha teams had already accomplished significant work, demonstrating the immense value of advance preparedness training.
Lessons Learned
From the train accident in Balasore, Odisha, we can learn some important emergency response lessons:
- Preparedness is crucial: Odisha’s history of dealing with cyclones and extreme weather conditions has helped them develop robust disaster response capabilities. It highlights the importance of being prepared for various types of emergencies by having well-trained personnel and adequate resources in place.
- Prompt and coordinated response: Upon receiving the distress call, the fire and service departments swiftly dispatched units to the accident site. Recognizing the magnitude of the disaster, they quickly mobilized additional teams. This emphasizes the need for a prompt and coordinated response to ensure an effective rescue operation.
- Adaptability and efficiency: The ODRAF and fire services team quickly addressed the visibility problem by setting up 53 light towers at the accident site. This highlights the importance of adapting to the specific challenges of the situation, such as poor visibility at night, a bad road network, etc, to ensure effective rescue operations.
- Utilizing advanced tools and equipment: The use of advanced plasma gas cutters by the response teams to rescue passengers trapped inside train compartments demonstrates the importance of having access to modern tools for efficient and safe rescue operations.
- Collaboration and synergy between response teams: The arrival of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), after the Odisha teams had already accomplished significant work, highlights the importance of team collaboration. Effective coordination between local and national response agencies can maximize the impact of the rescue efforts.
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