Operating procedure guidelines

For forest department 

Planning Assumptions 

·        There is no substitute for maintaining standards of services and regular maintenance during normal times. This affects the     response of the department to any disaster situation.

·         The department is required adopt appropriate measures to ensure that community participates substantially.

·     For effective preparedness, the department must have a disaster response plan or disaster response procedures clearly    defined in order to avoid confusion, improve efficiency in cost and time.

·   Orientation and training for disaster response plan and procedures accompanied by simulated exercise will keep the  department prepared for such eventualities. Special skills required during emergency operations need to be imparted to the    officials and the staff. Select personnel can be deputed for training as “NODAL OFFICER – Forest” at district level.

Action Plan Objective in a Disaster Situation

·         Forest protection

Activities on Receipt of Warning or Activation of District DMAP (DDMAP)

·         Within the affected district all available personnel will be made available to the District Disaster Manager. If more personnel   are required, then out of station officer or those on leave may be recalled.

·         All personnel required for Disaster Management should work under the overall supervision and guidance of District Disaster     Manager.

·         Establish communications with District control room and your departmental offices within the division.

·         Appoint one officer as “NODAL OFFICER – Forest” at district level.

·         Review and update precautionary measures and procedures and review with staff the precautions that have been taken to   protect equipment and the post-disaster procedures to be followed.

·         Fill departmental vehicles with fuel and park them in a protected area.

·         Check available stocks of equipments and materials which are likely to be most needed after disaster.

·         Provide information to all concerned, about disasters, likely damages, and information about ways to protect the same.

·         All valuable equipments and instruments should be packed in protective covering and stored in room the most damage-      proof.

·         Establish work schedules to ensure that the adequate staff are available

Relief and Rehabilitation

·         Assess the extent of damage to forests, nurseries and storage facilities and the requirements to salvage or replantation

·         Establish contact with remote sensing department to assess damage

·         Afforestation measures should be coordinated with DRDA to ensure employment assurance to disaster hit people, with Soil    Conservation Officer to ensure stabilization of slopes and district control room.

·        Ensure that the adequate conditions through cleaning operations are maintained to avoid water-logging and salinity in low    lying areas.

·        A pests and disease monitoring system should be developed to ensure that a full picture of risks is maintained.

·       Plan for emergency accommodations for forest staff from outside the area.

·       Information formats and monitoring checklists should be used for programme monitoring and development and for reporting    to DCR. This is in addition to existing reporting system in the department.

·       Establishment of a public information center with a means of communication, to assist in providing an organized source of    information. The department is responsible for keeping the community informed of its potential and limitations in disaster  situations.

·       The NGOs and other relief organizations should be aware of the resources of the department.

·        Ensure availability of fuel and fodder for disaster effected people.