India-Russia resolve to share disaster combat expertise

India and Russia today decided to enhance mutual cooperation in counter-disaster management with a special focus on under-water rescue, aviation rescue and fire fighting capabilities.
A Russian delegation led by Minister for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters, Vladimir Puickkov today visited the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) headquarters here to forge a cooperation pact between the two sides.
NDRF chief O P Singh sought sharing of expertise between the two sides keeping in mind the forces' challenges in the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear combat and training of disaster canine squads.

"There is a lot of scope for Indo-Russian cooperation in crisis management. Russia has the latest monitoring system, equipment and tools through which much can be learnt. There is always a scope for acceleration and optimisation of emergency response activities.
"Russia can provide consultancy services in establishing state-of-the-art National Emergency Operation Centre in Delhi," Singh said.
On his part, Puickkov said they look forward to creating a "special working group" between the two sides even as he invited the NDRF to visit their training and other facilities in Russia.

The other areas and forms of co-operation wherein the two sides are planning to join hands are: early warning, assessment of risk, joint conference, workshops, training of specialists, mutual assistance in providing technical facilities and equipment, planning and carrying out activities related to emergency preparedness, prevention and response among others.

The NDRF chief also briefed the Russian delegation about the Indian scenario vis-a-vis disasters and about the role of the force.
The NDRF is the mainstay central force for disaster response in the country and functions under the Union Home Ministry.
It has 12 battalions (about 12,000 personnel) located at various bases in the country for these tasks.