Experts at a seminar on "Need for Disaster Management" on October 13 called for establishment of an independent Disaster Control Ministry, capable of running command and control operations in wake of any mass-scale calamity.
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Karachi Kazim Ali, addressing to the seminar organised by Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) here, said while pre-disaster preparedness was imperatively important at individual, community and national level, the need for administrative agency comprising technical experts to chalk out and implement a comprehensive strategy was equally important.
"This ministry having departments at provincial, district and town level will be able to run search and rescue operations in a much administered way," he told the participants of the seminar.
He said the way nation had come together following October 8 earthquake was remarkable but a centralised authority would help in mobilising people and resources in even better way.
The apartments being built in Karachi at large-scale have no safety measures as required under Building Regulation Law-2002, he said, emphasising on the need for having a politicised platform (ministry) for implementing such laws in letter and spirit.
He said Disaster Control Plan-2005 prepared by mutual consent of 22 agencies could also be made effective through the ministry. The move could also help in renaissance of scout culture and reestablishment of civil defence organisations, he added.
Kasim warned 15 million population of Karachi faced multiple hazardous factors with limited resource and in this backdrop it was crucial to train individuals on how to react to such massive crises.
Commandant, Federal Civil Defence Training Institute, Sarfaraz Hussain Jaffery said awareness was key to preparing for any national-level crises. He suggested special books containing precautionary instructions for children should be introduced in schools.
He said where hi-tech equipment was important for search and rescue operations, a simple home-kit containing 22 necessary tools like hammer, torch, whistle, rope, etc, in every home could greatly contribute to human survival.
He stressed on conducting regular exercises for training people for earthquake and other disasters. "People don't know simple procedures like immobilising a patient with broken bones."
"The more you sweat during peace time, the less you bleed in war time," was the sentence Akhtar Quddus, CEO of a private firm dealing with disaster management, used while deliberating the significance of proactive planning.
He said planning requires study of various disasters and their impact on human life and property, which also helps in ascertaining the risk assessment factor- an important component of disaster control planning.
He said available resources should be identified much before the occurrence of any natural tragedy. Technology may be important but trained manpower could help in saving many lives especially in a congested city like Karachi.
Akhtar Quddus further said special budgetary allocations were needed to strengthen the role and performance of command and control structure to deal with any untoward situation.