By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 18 Feb: In anticipation of the upcoming fire season, the Mussoorie Forest Division conducted a comprehensive mock drill on Wednesday based on a simulated forest fire. Officials from the local administration, ITBP, veterinary officers, municipal council, and other relevant departments actively participated in the exercise.
Officials from all departments gathered at the Forest Department office in the morning. Upon receiving information about the ‘forest fire’ at around 11 a.m., an alert was issued from the control room, and joint teams departed for the scene. Along with ITBP personnel, the Forest Department’s fire team and veterinary doctors also rushed to the scene to control the fire, ensure no harm to wild animals, and provide immediate treatment if needed.
Mussoorie DFO Amit Kumar stated that forest fires have been categorised as disasters. In this context, this mock drill was conducted to test coordination and response time between various departments in a disaster situation. Upon receiving information, teams from all departments arrived at the scene following established protocols and began firefighting operations. He stated that this exercise assessed the time taken by each department to arrive at the scene and the utilisation of available resources. It also assessed whether the equipment was fully functional.
During the mock drill, firefighters, water tankers, blower machines, safety equipment, and communication channels were also inspected. Any equipment found to be deficient or faulty will be repaired promptly. If any new resources are needed, a request will be made for them. The DFO explained that such exercises are conducted periodically to ensure that officers and staff are fully prepared to deal with any disaster.
The participation of veterinarians in the mock drill indicates that wildlife protection is a priority during forest fires. Strategies for providing immediate relief and treatment to injured or trapped animals in the event of a fire were also practiced.
In view of the upcoming fire season, the Forest Department is also sensitising local residents and tourists to avoid forest fires and avoid any kind of negligence. The department has appealed to them to immediately report any smoke or fire they see, so that timely action can be taken.
