Delhi to get over 30 quick response vehicles for disasters

Over 30 quick response vehicles (QRVs) of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will soon be stationed across the city to better manage rescue operations in case of a disaster, officials said Tuesday.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit flagged off the first batch of 10 QRVs from her residence along with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) vice chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy and Revenue Minister Arvinder Singh.

"The capital is vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes as well as acts of terrorism, fires, industrial and chemical hazards etc... the QRVs will act in the extremely minimal permitted response time to avoid loss of life," she said.

Arvinder Singh said that the number of QRVs would be further increased to 33 in order to station one such vehicle in every sub-division.

"The well-equipped QRVs will be stationed in each district and headquarters in order to ensure immediate and effective response to disaster situations," he said.

The QRV teams consist of civil defence volunteers, trained in the task of first aid, search and rescue. The vehicles are equipped with equipment like oxygen cylinder, folding stretchers, first aid kit etc.