How does the MCGM’s Disaster Management Department Work?

November 24, 2014

In the year 1999 a Disaster Management Cell was set up at the Municipal Head Office with a specific aim of minimizing loss of life and property due to any dangerous situation that might occur anywhere within jurisdiction of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. This Cell is required to co-ordinate between various aid agencies so as to provide quick and efficient medical services to victims by taking immediate and proper decisions. After the devastating floods of 26^th July, 2005 the Cell was well equipped with ultramodern facilities and put back in to service again on the 30^th of May, 2006.

This Cell functions for 24 hours every day and throughout the year and is provided with the following facilities –

1)      Four direct telephone lines
2)      Eleven hotlines
3)      Ten direct lines under number 1916 for civic complaints
4)      Ten direct lines under number 022-22026712 for disaster management helpline
5)      Wireless set

The following types of complaints are registered in this Disaster Management Cell –

1)   Minor and major mishaps
2)   Landslides
3)   Tree falling or unauthorized cutting of tree
4)   Water logging
5)   House collapse
6)   Potholes on roads
7)   Missing manhole covers
8)   Fire
9)   Short-circuits
10)  Flooding
11)  Earthquakes
12)  Bomb-blast etc

Prompt note of above occurrences is taken and instructions are immediately conveyed to the officers concerned so as to provide essential service at the spot of occurrence.

As per the recommendations made by a Fact Finding Committee, 35 rain gauges along with weather stations were established at Fire Brigade Stations and some important locations, which are now connected by WAN connection due to which data of rainfall within 15 minutes span is made available after every 15 minutes on www.mumbaimonsoon.com during the monsoons.

Central Complaint Registration System:

This system was introduced in the year 2000. The control room functions for 365 days a year receives the complaints on 1916. The civic complaints are registered on the system, a complaint number is conveyed to the complainant and sent to the respective ward. Complaints are attended to by concerned Ward Offices. The complainant can also register the complaint on the MCGM website – www.mcgm.gov.in.

Helpline:

In emergencies like earthquakes, bomb-blast, landslide, house collapse, major accidents etc to expedite the rescue operations to disseminate the information to various authorities quickly call 022-22026712.

Emergency Support Function (ESF):

The disaster management unit has introduced the Emergency Support Function concept and is implemented in the current monsoons. The ESFs provide the coordination mechanisms among the various agencies. They provide the organization and process to plan, manage and coordinate specific response and preparedness activities common to any hazardous event that can result in the emergency, from the most frequent one to the most extreme one. Each ESF is headed by a lead agency and is supported by identified support agencies. These ESFs from an integral part of the Emergency Operation Centres, each of which will coordinate its activities from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai Emergency Operations Centre.

NOTE: Dial 108 for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

All 24 Municipal Wards have their own control rooms which are:

Source: This information was obtained from http://www.mcgm.gov.in/ and MCGM publications

Tags: Disaster Management and Community Resilience

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