National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM) organized

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) jointly with Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), National Disaster Management Authority of India (NDMA) with the Government of Maharashtra as host and Government of Gujarat as state partners have come together to organize a National Conference on Chemical (Industrial) Disaster Management (CIDM)

The three day conference witnessed participation of over 400 industry delegates from over 20 states. The main focus of the conference was to make industry globally safe by better emergency planning of accidents - onsite, offsite including isolated storage and special emphasis on chemical emissions. The conference would also provide a platform to companies to share their success stories, best practices and technologies to minimize accidents on production site and during transportation of Chemicals, Hazardous /Toxic Substances, Petroleum Products and Gases either through Pipelines or POL tankers.

 

CIDM conferences attempt to redefine modalities of corporate participation in disaster management activities from the present involvement in post disaster activities to more focused prevention, preparedness and mitigation initiatives so as to be in sync with the initiatives of National Disaster Management Authority.

Shri Nirankar Saxena, Assistant Secretary General FICCI welcomed all to the 30th edition of National Conference on CIDM. He elaborated on the role of FICCI which has been pioneering focused education, training and awareness programs to keep all industrial and societal stakeholders in national and international loop of global solutions to outstanding environmental and safety issues. He further stated the idea of private sector involvement in disaster management especially through technological and innovative products which can transform this sector and help in reducing vulnerability and mortality during Industrial and chemical disasters.

Shri M P Ramachandran, Executive Committee member, FICCI in his speech elaborated on the Chemical Industrial Disaster Management as a subject of great urgency which affects human-kind. The sheer enormity of a chemical accident and its irrevocable consequences for employees, stakeholders and neighboring communities; demands that every effort must be made to ensure and stop chemical disasters. To that end, joint conferences on chemical industrial disaster management are made especially giving importance to prevention and management of chemical and industrial disasters which has been the focus for Industry Chambers like FICCI for more than twenty years.

Dr. D N Sharma, Member NDMA stressed on regulatory regime in country and corporations should derive mileage of this so as to manage disasters efficiently with the involvement of the government machinery.

Shri Subhash Rajaram Desai, Hon'ble Minister, Industries and Mining; Government of Maharashtra in his Keynote address expressed "India is developing as a key global player in the industrial and technology sector. Rapid industrialization has increased the hazard, risk and vulnerability to the industry and the environment.

Major Chemical (Industrial) disasters are low in frequency but are very significant in the terms of loss of lives, injuries, environmental impact and property damage. While chemical accidents may occur whenever toxic materials are stored, transported or used, the most severe accidents are industrial accidents, involving major chemical manufacturing and storage facilities."

Shri Chandrakant (Dada) Bachchu Patil, Hon'ble Minister Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Public Works (excluding Public Undertakings); Government of Maharashtra accolade the conference in his Inaugural speech and also provided a prospective roadmap for the Chemical Industrial Disaster Management mitigation said "This conference will also attempt to redefine modalities of corporate participation in disaster management activities from the present involvement in post disaster management to more focused prevention, preparedness and mitigation so as to be a part of paradigm shift in approach to disaster management."

Mr. Rubaab Sood Additional Director FICCI appealed to the government of Maharashtra and the industrial bodies of Maharashtra to join hands for the joint initiative of FICCI and UNISDR namely The Global United Fund for Resilient Risk Management (GUFRRM) which is the first of its kind in the world and worth 100-million-dollar fund. The aim of the project is to help the private sector in utilizing the innovations, research and new ideas for disaster risk management as a business model. Maharashtra state council will be coordinating its membership in western region.

Lt. Gen (Dr). J R Bhardwaj; PVSM AVSM VSM PHS (Retd.) Hon'ble Chairman , CIDM Forum thanked Government of Maharashtra and Gujarat, all sponsors and supporters of the conference viz. globally accredited international agencies, NDMA, PNGRB, CIFs and all other institutions, knowledge partners, IITs and faculties, Universities, industries and industry associations who have sent eminent faculties and delegates for their participation in making this epoch event a grand success. He also thanked all the sponsors namely Government of Maharshtra, Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Gujarat State Petronet Ltd., GAIL (India) Ltd., Mahanagar Gas, Hindustan Petroleum(HPCL) and Indian Oil

(IOCL) for their vehement support and sponsorship. He concluded by stating that this conference will provide a platform for exchange of information, best management practices and technical know-how to the entire industry fraternity for disaster risk reduction.

The Three day conference witnessed of over 40 eminent speakers and more than 200 delegates Pan India. The conference discussed vital and diverse topics like Legislation, PCPIR & Emergency Scenarios and Outcomes in a Chemical Industry, Disaster Risk Reduction (Mitigation) and Preparedness in Chemical Industry, Safety Measures in Petroleum & Natural Gas Sector, Role of Responders in Disaster Risk Reduction etc.

As a part of the CIDM (Conference on Industrial Disaster Management) organized by FICCI and the State Government of Maharashtra on May 30, 31, 2017 in Mumbai a mock exercise was conducted on June 1, 2017 at M/S.SI Group India Pvt. Limited, Navi Mumbai, producing petrochemical products. All the participants of CIDM from 11 states, Disaster Management Division of State, DISH, Thane District Authorities, MARG members and other first responders like Police, Fire & Emergency Response Services (FERS), medical services, NMMC, PRO and others, besides the industry responders participated in the exercise.

The simulated scenario was initiated for an "onsite" emergency subsequently escalating to an "offsite" emergency calling for external responders. The unit has got adequate safety systems and the detailed 'onsite' plan for mitigation of any type of emergency/disaster. The casualties declared during the mock exercise were sent to designated government/private hospitals after TRIAGE in OHC of the unit. The response of MARG members was appreciable and the first responders were quick to rise to the occasion. The traffic was managed well without causing inconvenience to the public along the main Sion - Panvel highway.

After the mock exercise, a debriefing was organized in which observers gave their inputs and participants shared their learning experience. From FICCI, Brig. (Dr.) B.K. Khanna , Consultant (DM) and former adviser NDMA coordinated the overall mock exercise.

The mock was witnessed by Dr. D.N.Sharma, Member NDMA, State and District official Ms. Vandana Suryavanshi, IAS, ADM , Thane and members from DISH and FICCI.

Overall the mock exercise was successful and was able to inculcate confidence in the neighboring community. It was also a unique learning experience for the CIDM participants who were mainly from the areas of industrial safety and health. A very positive feedback was received and a lot of fervor was seen amongst the many delegates towards disaster risk reduction and mitigation.