EVDM conducts mock drills for fire safety
Hyderabad : In response to the rising incidents of fire accidents in Greater Hyderabad, the Director of Emergency Vigilance and Disaster Management (EV&DM) at GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) has taken proactive measures to enhance public awareness and preparedness. The initiative involves the execution of awareness programs and emergency evacuation drills across all six zones of GHMC.
The EV&DM reported that Disaster Response Force (DRF) teams are actively conducting ‘Emergency Evacuation Drills’ at high-risk locations such as schools, hospitals, shopping malls, office buildings, hotels, and banquet halls. These areas are identified as places where large gatherings are likely during emergencies. As part of recent mock drills, the DRF teams carried out evacuation exercises at prominent locations including Chennai Shopping Mall in Mehdipatnam, Mantra Mall Attapur in Rajendra Nagar, D-Mart Supermarket in Kachiguda, Unlimited Mall in Habsiguda, Pantaloons retail shop, and Mediplus Diagnostics Mixed Occupancy Building in Pet Basheerabad.
Supervised by the Station Fire Officer (SFO), the teams actively involve occupants in practicing emergency procedures, including escape routes during a fire, building evacuations, operation of firefighting equipment, and providing basic first aid and CPR. These drills aim not only to save lives but also to raise awareness among citizens about the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ during emergencies.
Highlighting the proactive approach, a senior officer of EVDM stated, “The teams are dedicated to creating a culture of preparedness by demonstrating and involving citizens in emergency response practices.”
Since January 25, the DRF teams have conducted 35 awareness programs in various public places, shopping malls, showrooms, schools, colleges, hospitals, and theaters.
The public is encouraged to actively participate in this initiative. Building owners or management of establishments such as schools, hospitals, and shopping malls are urged to contact the designated helpline numbers if they wish to conduct evacuation drills in their buildings. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to report any unauthorized or illegal storage of hazardous chemicals or materials in residential buildings, with the assurance that their identity will be kept confidential. This collaborative effort aims to foster a safer and more prepared community in the face of potential emergencies.
