In year 2005, the Government of India enacted the Disaster Management Act [https://www.ndma.gov.in/images/ndma-pdf/DM_act2005.pdf], which envisaged the creation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister, and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) headed by respective Chief Ministers, to spearhead and implement a holistic and integrated approach to Disaster Management in India.
As defined in Disaster Management Act, Disaster means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area arising from natural or man made causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of property or damage to or degradation of environment and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.
Whereas, Disaster Management means – a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing measures which are necessary or expedient for;
- Prevention of danger or threat of any disaster
- Mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences
- Capacity building
- Preparedness to deal with any disaster
- Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster
- Assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster
- Evacuation, rescue and relief
- Rehabilitation and reconstruction
Role of Fire Services in Disaster Management
As per 12th schedule of the Constitution under the provisions of Article 243W Fire services in India come under the domain of municipalities / local authorities.
After enactment of The Disaster Management Act-2005, subject to the direction of the District Authority local authority shall (refer Clause 41, Chapter VI of The DM Act 2005);
- Ensure that its officers and employees are trained for disaster management.
- Ensure that resources relating to disaster management are so maintained as to be readily available for use in the event of any threatening disaster situation or disaster.
- Ensure all construction projects under it or within its jurisdiction conform to the standards and specifications laid down for prevention of disasters and mitigation by the National Authority, State Authority and the District Authority
- Carry out relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected area in accordance with the State Plan and the District Plan.
Considering PAN India presence of fire service, it is pertinent that the service can play major role in responding to disasters and can act as multi-hazard response team. This will be achieved by providing required manpower, training and infrastructure resources to fire services.
In this regard, National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India has formulated a National Guidelines for the Scaling, Type of Equipment and Training of Fire Services in year 2012.
The guideline is available as NDMA Fire Guideline.