SDRF to be trained in heli slithering: DGP
PrashantNews
DGP Abhinav Kumar on Thursday called for strengthening the SDRF to meet the challenges of umpteen disasters striking Uttarakhand and suggested a series of measures including acquisition of modern machines and gadgets and preparedness for helicopter slithering.
Chairing a review meeting of the SDRF at the state police headquarters in Dehradun, the DGP propounded that the efficiency of the SDRF can be increased by reducing the response time as and when the disaster strikes.
In the Kedarnath deluge which left over 5000 people dead in the year 2013, the rescue operation was delayed considerably due to the lack of communication and preparedness of the state police. After a day or two, the entire rescue operation was virtually handed over to the army which was spearheaded by Lt Gen Anil Chait, GOC-in-C Central Command.
Kumar also said a move is being contemplated to launch a new SDRF battalion for the Kumaon region. He said the SDRF can acquire the services of the home guard jawans by giving them adequate training. The water police and the PAC dealing with floods relief works should be merged with SDRF, he said. “This will help the efficiency of the SDRF in dealing with water related disasters considerably,” Kumar noted.
Significantly, Kumar also called for the SDRF personnel’s training in the helicopter slithering especially during the high altitude rescue operations.
The SDRF was asked to prepare an SOP for its various rescue operations with a focus on readiness, response and post-response. Ends