Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), along with Indian Ports Association, and in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority and Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, organised a week-long training programme on CBRN Emergency Management for seaport emergency handlers at the APEC Training Centre, JNPT from April 22-26, 2019. The workshop provided an overview on the safety and regulatory aspects of CBRN materials in the port.
The programme was inaugurated by Mr Sanjay Sethi, IAS, Chairman, JNPT, in the august presence of senior stalwarts from DRDO and NDMA and senior officials of the port. Speaking at the inaugural function, he said, “It is only in the last decade or so that the industrial sector has made a conscious effort to look at disaster management as a critical element in the overall functional gamut of things. But there has been tremendous progress since then, to develop standard protocols and operational plans to tackle such situations. When we talk about disaster management, three key factors involved in decision-making are anticipation, quick response time and maintaining open communication channels. Training workshops give participants a mock setting to learn about on-ground operations and the possible challenges they might face in a real-time disaster situation, so that they are better equipped to handle it then. In the case of ports, any disaster can escalate very quickly, and without timely intervention there could be colossal damage, so it is imperative that the port professionals are well trained to tackle any such situation.”
The training workshop was curated by industry experts and was at par with similar courses being conducted across the globe. It provided an overview on CBRN with focus on port vulnerability, psychosocial issues with CBRN emergencies, and demo activities at port. It also gave an overview on the role of various stakeholders. Many mock exercises were conducted in conjunction with NDRF, and the medical management of CBRN emergencies as well as CBRN equipment were highlighted. The participating delegates also gained insights into the future trends in CWAs, threats and challenges in detection, and protection and decontamination at ports, amongst many other topics.
The workshop saw over 40 participants representing JNPT, private port operators, tank farms, CISF and other stakeholders, said a release.
