In the lead up their Disaster & Emergency Management Summit 2017 in Singapore in 22 – 25 August, Equip Global recently interviewed Sanjay Kumar, Safety Manager at Delhi International Airport and Man Thapa, Recovery Planning Advisor and a Senior Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation Expert with UNDP in Nepal.
INTERVIEW with Sanjay Kumer
Sanjay Kumar is a Post Graduate and a PG Diploma Holder in Disaster Management and has been proactively implementing systems in Airports in India to ensure preparedness and readiness of the Airports to respond efficiency upon any Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and explosive (CBRNe) threats.
Equip Global: What is the one thing disaster and emergency leaders overlook when it comes to preparedness?
Sanjay Kumar: Based on my personal experience, the one thing that we, as Emergency Manager, face and tend to overlook is that there is a lot of difference between Planning and Real Emergency. When we plan and the subjects of the emergency knows that its just an exercise, everything is so smooth that it gives a feeling that in case of any emergency, everything with be just as fine as its happened in this exercise/Drill. What is appalling is that none of the exercise that we have planned has ever come close to the real scenario.
There is no screaming, no fighting for the news of the loved ones, no situation when the victims or those related to victims have nearly come to blows. These are the real time scenarios which becomes hard to handle in case of real emergency. These are the situations that test the ability and capabilities of the Emergency Managers. Further, most of the cases, an emergency exercise is more of a formality. Because the exercise has to be done, its done, that’s it. Once the exercise is over, its pat on our own back.
Equip Global: What is a real-life example of a successful emergency response?
Sanjay Kumar: What could be more satisfying than someone coming to you, as an Emergency Manager, and thanking you for teaching the actions to be taken in case of emergency, it’s because of these actions that the person was saved from the emergency situation.
There was a real fire and the building was being evacuated. The situation was extremely difficult but this staff not only escaped the building unscathed, he also helped the Fire Fighters in taking them to a room where lay a staff who was unconscious, due to the asphyxiation.
Equip Global: How often should authorities revisit their emergency preparedness plan?
Sanjay Kumar: The world is changing and so are the scenarios. What mattered yesterday is irrelevant today, because something more relevant (serious) has appear. Therefore, there is no fixed period when the Emergency Preparedness should be revisited and reviewed. It’s important that the situations are visited as often as an exercise is conducted to look into the SOPs. Even if everything has been perfect, the review should be done at least once a year.
Evolving scenarios and its impact on the organisation must be seriously looked into. Two issues – threats in the industry you are in and threats in and around your location are two things to be taken in mind while considering the possible scenarios and their mitigations.
Equip Global: What are the key considerations in using social media during an emergency situation?
Sanjay Kumar: Social media can be both – boon as well as bane for any situation. While it can help unadulterated information reach faster, there are chances that it could also be used for incite misinformation. Since the information flow is not monitored before it is sent through social media, there are chances that the information is biased. Therefore, while using social media, following points may be considered:
- Sanity in posting Information: Nothing should be posted that the sender is uncomfortable with or is unjustified
- Integrity in sending information: any information sent through social media can be misinterpreted or biased
- Double check the information: Only accurate information, captured as a first person, only should be posted on the social media
- Clear message: words or sentences that can be taken otherwise should be avoided.
- Sensitive Issues: Avoid posting sensitive issues online, let the authorities handle
- Confidential Information: It could be disastrous and put you in compromising position
- Safety and Protection: sometimes the locations or personal details can be risky
- Respect the dignity: whosoever is shot on camera, respect their dignity
- Bias: Issues like religion/race/politics should be best avoided
- Experience: its good to mention about the topics that the sender is expert in
- Act responsibly: the sender is responsible for their online reputation
- Transparency: being transparent, declaring identity and affiliation helps build trust and reputation
- Truthfulness: if the pictures or information is taken from some other source, credit them and avoid negativity
- Personal Opinion: in case of reflecting personal opinion, state explicitly so that the post will gain traction and visibility
- Clarification: in case people are misreading your posts or trying to twist them, clarify your words and intentions
- Trolling: avoid replying to inappropriate comments, your response will only encourage them
- Seek advice: if unsure about post, seek advice from your colleague or supervisor
Click to view the Disaster & Emergency Management Summit 2017 invitation.
INTERVIEW with Man Thapa
Man Thapa, has accumulated over 30 years of experience in formulating and reviewing policies, developing programme relating to Disaster Risk Management, coordinating between agencies, resource mobilization, strengthening institutional mechanism, capacity development and monitoring and evaluating of DRM, DRR and CCA programmes.
Equip Global: What is the one thing disaster and emergency leaders overlook when it comes to preparedness?
Man Thapa: It is usually the locally available resources (human, financial, indigenous knowledge, and environment) and governance mechanism that are overlooked. Usually, the emergency planners count only the physical resources such as number of ambulances, hospital and hospital beds, communication resources, etc.
Equip Global: What is an example of a successful emergency response plan?
Man Thapa: Emergency response plan should be prepared in advance in all disaster prone areas, the plan should be practice and update regularly. Even in normal time, the plan should be simulated, so community members know what to do before, during and after any emergency situation or disaster. In a disaster prone area it is better to develop “Culture of Safety” in all aspects of human life.
Equip Global: How often should authorities revisit their emergency preparedness plan?
Man Thapa: It depends on the frequency of the disaster. Usually once in two-year time the emergency preparedness plan should be revisited.
Equip Global: What are the key considerations in using social media during an emergency situation?
Man Thapa:
- Use authentic information from a reliable source, usually government sources;
- Do not do prediction on your own rather use scientific basis;
- Share information about resources centres such as; health facility, drinking water, evacuation centre/ safe heaven/ shelter, help line/ numbers, registration centres, etc.
- Help affected people to connect each other especially family members;
- Try to create a “self-help spirit”
To secure your early bird prices or ask about the group discounted rates, email to enquiry@equip-global.com or visit http://www.equip-global.com/disaster-and-emergency-management-summit-2017 for more information.
