National Disaster Response Force

Why in News?

• Prime Minister lauds National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for their valour and service to the nation.

About

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has made the statutory provisions for constitution of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the purpose of specialised response to natural and man-made disasters

• Two national calamities in quick succession in the form of Orissa Super Cyclone (1999) and Gujarat Earthquake (2001) brought about the realisation of the need of having a specialist response mechanism at National Level to effectively respond to disasters

• This realisation led to the enactment of the Disaster Management Act in 2005

Role and Mandate of NDRF

• Specialised response during disasters

• Proactive deployment during impending disaster situations

• Acquire and continually upgrade its own training and skills

• Community Capacity Building Programme

• Organise Public Awareness Campaigns

• Liaison, Reconnaissance, Rehearsals and Mock Drills

• Impart basic and operational level training to State Response Forces (Police, Civil Defence and Home Guards)